The letters issued by four of Clinton’s doctors, however, were less extensive than materials provided by other presidential campaigns in recent years, preventing outsiders from making a complete evaluation of Clinton’s physical condition.
Bush campaign officials also have declined requests for interviews with the President’s physician. A spokeswoman for the Perot campaign said she did not know who his physician was. His campaign has released no specific information about his medical history.
The letters show, for example, that Clinton, who is 46, took treadmill stress tests annually from 1984 through 1986 and once more several weeks before announcing his presidential bid last year. The tests indicated no heart problems, according to his cardiologist, Dr. Andrew G. Kumpuris of Little Rock. But Kumpuris did not say why the tests were given in the first place. Clinton aide Betsey Wright said the tests “were just something the governor wanted to do.”
The doctors’ letters indicate that Clinton’s blood pressure is normal, that exercise and a low-fat diet have helped him lower his cholesterol level, which had been somewhat high, and that he has a mild hearing loss, which an aide said the Arkansas governor attributes to “loud rock music and shotguns”–Clinton used to hunt–when he was younger.
These days, however, Clinton’s chief medical concern is his voice–hoarse, raspy and weak from the combination of months on the campaign trail, a throat infection and chronic allergies. Doctors have been urging him to rest and stop talking–a difficult task for the voluble candidate–in preparation for today’s debate with President Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot.
After a day of almost total silence Tuesday, aides said Wednesday morning that Clinton’s voice had improved. He still, however, sounded hoarse after a morning jog as he praised the debate performance of his vice presidential candidate, Tennessee Sen. Al Gore, in response to a reporter’s question. And later in the day–after several hours of debate preparation–Clinton’s voice had weakened further, media adviser Frank Greer reported.
Despite the problems, however, Clinton aides said the debate would go on as scheduled. “With the microphones they have, people will be able to hear him even if he whispers,” one aide said. “He may sound a little odd, but it will work.”
Clinton has suffered from voice strain on and off throughout his political career and, particularly, during the grueling months of the current campaign. In addition to rest, the doctors have recommended tea with honey and lemon, throat lozenges and occasional throat sprays of the sort singers use. To keep his allergies at bay, aides scour his hotel rooms to remove perfumed objects, such as potpourris, and place humidifiers in the rooms to avoid excessive dryness.
According to his allergist, Clinton is allergic to dust, mold, pollen and the family cat. He also has allergies to certain foods, including some alcoholic beverages and milk and beef, both of which he generally avoids.
For at least a year, Clinton has taken allergy shots to reduce his sensitivity to those irritants. He also has taken a prescription antihistamine, Hismanal, to fend off allergic problems.
Unlike many antihistamines, Hismanal “doesn’t cause drowsiness” and is therefore “a good choice, a good drug,” said Dr. Daniel Ein, an allergist who is chairman of the board of the medical society of the District of Columbia.
Other than the allergies, Clinton’s doctors reported few health problems–a bout of hemorrhoids in 1984, heartburn and some problems keeping his weight down, both problems that have been aggravated by the campaigning of the last year.
The ideal weight for a man of Clinton’s age and height, 6 feet 2, would be slightly more than 200 pounds. At the worst of his weight problems this spring he came close to 240, but now weighs about 215 pounds, aides say.
Clinton went on a low-fat diet about a year ago after a medical examination in September, 1991–shortly before he announced his presidential candidacy–found a cholesterol level of 227, which doctors consider somewhat high. A new round of blood tests taken earlier this week indicate the diet and regular exercise have worked, and Clinton’s cholesterol level is now down to 184, well within the normal range.
Clinton’s blood pressure of 135/70 also is normal, and his pulse rate of 75 beats per minute is considered average.
“Sounds like he’s a very healthy man,” Ein said after reviewing the information released by Clinton’s doctors.
Moving to Washington might make Clinton somewhat healthier, at least as far as his allergies go, Ein added. “Just the change can make a difference.”
Times staff writer Marlene Cimons in Washington contributed to this story.