Joe Biden declared ‘fit for duty’ as age issue looms in U.S. presidential election

President Biden, 81, deemed fit for reelection by his doctor despite sleep apnea and hip discomfort.

President Joe Biden “continues to be fit for duty,” his doctor wrote on February 28 after conducting an annual physical that is being closely watched as the 81-year-old seeks re-election in November.

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Mr. Biden's physician, wrote that the president is adjusting well to a new device that helps control his sleep apnea and has experienced some hip discomfort but also works out five times per week.

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“President Biden is a healthy, active, robust, 81-year-old male who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency,” Dr. O’Connor said in a six-page memo on the president’s health, following a physical that took Mr. Biden to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for more than 2 1/2 hours.

His memo added that Mr. Biden “feels well and this year's physical identifies no new concerns.”

The oldest president in U.S. history, Mr. Biden would be 86 by the end of a second term, should he win one. His latest physical mirrored one he had in February last year when Dr. O'Connor described Mr. Biden as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House duties.

Still, voters are approaching this year’s election with misgivings about Mr. Biden’s age, having scrutinised his gaffes, his coughing, his slow walking and even a tumble off his bicycle.