Experts Say Trump's MRI Is Not Routine Preventive Care

Medical specialists are raising doubts about the White Houses claim that President Donald Trump underwent MRI tests as part of routine preventive care. A memo issued Monday by presidential physician Sean Barbabella stated that the results of a comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health were normal.

This degree of examination is typical for an executive physical at the presidents age, Barbabella noted. However, imaging experts who spoke with Scientific American expressed skepticism over the claim that MRI scans are standard preventive measures.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiac MRIs are generally ordered for patients with preexisting heart conditions and typically only after other diagnostic tests have been performed.

Routine heart and abdominal MRIs are not considered standard medical practice, said Thomas Kwee, a radiologist and MRI specialist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He explained that such scans are usually reserved for patients with known or suspected medical conditions based on their history or physical exam.

Barbabellas memo stated that the imaging confirmed Trumps excellent health. Kwees viewpoint was echoed by physician Jeremy Faust, editor in chief of Medpage Today, who told CNN that there is no standard prevention protocol involving MRI scans. Faust added that the White House reference to advanced imaging leaves uncertainty about the exact tests Trump underwent, noting it might have included other modalities such as CT scans.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision not to disclose specifics, stating, As the Presidents physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, has made clear repeatedlyand as the American people observe dailyPresident Trump remains in excellent overall health.

Some private companies and hospitals do offer MRI screenings marketed as preventive, often targeting executives. However, a 2019 JAMA study examining executive health packages at 29 leading hospitals found that none included MRIs. Former White House physician Jeffrey Kuhlman stated, A heart and abdominal MRI is not standard for an executive physical. He added that while some concierge practices perform extensive body scans, such measures lack evidence-based justification.

The memos release came about a month after Trump mentioned to reporters on Air Force One that he had undergone imaging, admitting he did not know which parts of his body were scanned.

Concerns about Trumps health have arisen in recent months. In July, the White House disclosed that he has chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory condition affecting the legs, and earlier in the year, bruising on his hands was attributed to frequent handshaking.

Kwee emphasized that executive MRI screenings do not have proven benefits in diagnosing disease or extending lifespan and can sometimes lead to incidental findings or a false sense of security regarding health.

Author: Noah Whitman