Bernie Sanders in 'good health' and fit to serve as president after heart attack, insist his doctors

Vermont senator would be US’s oldest president by far

Bernie Sanders is in good health and capable of handling the mental and physical rigours of being president, despite having recently suffered a heart attack, his doctors have said.

Three months after the 78-year-old had the attack while campaigning in Nevada, only to throw himself back into action after the briefest of breaks, the Vermont senator’s campaign released letters from three physicians.

The letters said although he suffered “modest heart muscle damage” during the episode, he had since recovered well, and was fit enough to take on the challenge.

“At this point, I see no reason why he cannot continue campaigning without limitation and, should he be elected, I am confident he has the mental and physical stamina to fully undertake the rigours of the presidency,” wrote Martin LeWinter, a cardiologist at the University of Vermont Medical Centre.

Mary Ann McLaughlin, director of cardiovascular health and wellness at Mount Sinai Heart in New York, reviewed Mr Sanders’ health information, and was reassured by exercise testing that showed the senator’s heart was strong.

“I do not see a reason why he would not be able to function effectively in a high stress job,” she said. “Fortunately the stress test revealed normal blood flow to his heart.”

While Mr Sanders’ heart was damaged, he had suffered no other symptoms, his blood pressure and heart rate were “in optimal ranges”, and his heart was functioning normally, with the ability to exercise “well above average”, his doctors said.

If he were to win, the progressive, former mayor of Vermont would be by far America’s oldest president elected to office. That record is currently held by Donald Trump, who was aged 70 years and 220 days when he was inaugurated in 2017. Mr Sanders would be 79.

Despite his age, and his heart attack, Mr Sanders has led a relentless, high-energy campaign for the presidency. Fewer questions have been asked about his mental and physical acuity than that of Democratic rival Joe Biden, despite the former vice present being 10 months younger than him.

Mr Biden has promised to release his medical records before the Iowa caucuses on February 3.

A doctor’s report issued earlier this month said he was in overall good shape and kept his cholesterol at healthy levels with the use of medication.

Earlier this month, 70-year-old Elizabeth Warren released a note from her doctor saying that she was “in excellent health” and that her only major medical concern was an underactive thyroid gland.

Meanwhile, Michael Bloomberg’s doctor declared the 77-year-old former New York City mayor to be in “outstanding health,” though he was receiving treatment for several medical conditions, including an irregular heartbeat.

Additional reporting by Associated Press