Sanders campaign releases medical info, claims candidate fit for presidency

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' campaign on Monday released letters by his doctors claiming that the oldest contender in the Democratic race is in good health and "fit and ready to serve as president."

"You are in good health currently and you have been engaging vigorously in the rigors of your campaign, travel and other scheduled activities without any limitation," Brian Monahan, the attending physician for members of Congress and Sanders' long-time primary physician, said in one of the three letters.

Sanders, 78, briefly left the campaign trail in early October as he suffered a heart attack, but has recovered and engaged himself in a robust campaign.

An examination in December found that the senator "was able to exercise to a level that is approximately 50 percent higher than other men his age with a similar diagnosis," Philip Ades, director of cardiac rehabilitation at the University of Vermont, said in a separate letter.

"While he did suffer modest heart muscle damage, he has been doing very well since," said Martin LeWinter, the attending cardiologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center. "I am confident he has the mental and physical stamina to fully undertake the rigors of the presidency."

Sanders is currently among the top three favorites in the Democratic primary race, along with former Vice President Joe Biden -- who is leading in recent polls -- and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)