By Rebecca Shabad-
NBC News
The president, Joe Biden, traveled to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday to undergo his annual medical exam, which includes a routine colonoscopy, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
Biden was anesthetized for the procedure.
As when President George W. Bush underwent the same examination in 2002 and 2007, and following the process established in the Constitution, Biden transferred power to Vice President Kamala Harris during the brief period of anesthesia, Psaki said.
The exam takes place on the eve of Biden's birthday, who will turn 79 this Saturday.
Biden arrives at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center for his physical.Evan Vucci / AP
The last time a full medical evaluation of Biden was released publicly was in 2019 during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Biden was then described by Dr. Kevin O'Connor of George Washington University as a “healthy and vigorous 77-year-old man who is in a position to successfully carry out the duties of the presidency including those of chief executive officer, chief executive officer. of State and commander-in-chief ”.
[House of Representatives approves Biden's social measures plan, which includes immigration reform]
Psaki had been frequently asked about medical examinations by the president, the oldest to take office (Donald Trump, his predecessor, is now 75 years old).
The summit of 'the three friends' concludes with agreements between Mexico and the United States on the immigration issue
Nov. 19, 202103: 56
"He will do his physical soon, as I have noted earlier," he said last week.
“As soon as it does, we will provide that information transparently to all of you.
You undergo regular tests under the direction of your doctor.
We will give you that information regularly.
I'm happy to review and see when was the last time it was screened and let you know, ”he added.
In 2019, Biden had been taking medications for reflux, cholesterol, and seasonal allergies, as well as blood thinners.
Biden survived two brain aneurysms in the late 1980s and doctors discovered that one of them did not rupture.
He also suffered from a deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism.
O'Connor said in 2019 that there were no serious threats to Biden's health and that his previous medical conditions were under control.
Joe Biden surprises with his driving skills driving an electric Hummer
Nov. 18, 202100: 16
Trump's first physical exam as president didn't come until a year after he arrived in the White House;
then-presidential physician Ronny Jackson said that his general health was "excellent" and that he had "a lot of energy and a lot of stamina."