We consulted some doctors about Nelson Mandela’s health. They say it’s excellent for his age Rehana Rossouw
It’s hard to regard a man who jets across a continent and back in three days, gets to bed after 1am, then chirps energetically at the media seven hours later, as a geriatric. But at 77 years and seven months, Nelson Mandela is one.
At that age, the degeneration of the body affects all major functions. Yet specialists and doctors consulted by the Mail & Guardian this week about the president’s health are in awe of his energy and mental faculties.
“He’s an inspiration to geriatrics all over the world. At an age where many are in retirement homes contemplating their navels, he’s not only holding his own nation together but swanning across the globe solving other countries’ problems,” said a Cape Town physician.
On Monday Mandela’s doctors will reveal the results of a three-day battery of tests conducted to dispel rumours of poor health.
Mandela left the Park Lane Clinic on Thursday with a clean bill of health from his physician, Dr Michael Plit. An electrocardiogram had shown his heartbeat to be “textbook perfect”, with no signs of coronary artery disease. X-rays indicated his lungs were in excellent condition.
It’s difficult for doctors not present at the clinic this week to identify weaknesses in the president’s health, but they could provide general pointers to areas of concern.
The most important check this week was of Mandela’s cardiovascular system. If it falls outside the expected range he should be treated to reduce the risk of heart failure. Yet the risk of Mandela’s suffering a heart attack is low.
Older people are also significantly more likely to develop an irregular heart beat, doctors said. This can result in a stroke. Mandela’s ECG would determine whether this is a problem.
“His favourite exercise is walking and all he really needs to do is work up a sweat three times a week through aerobic exercise like walking,” said a physician.
The incidence of diabetes does increase among older people, but doctors believe that if Mandela sticks to his sensible diet there is no reason for him to be at risk of contracting the disease.
Because Mandela contracted TB while in prison, his lungs will have been checked this week. He does not smoke, so lung cancer is a low risk, and there is also no cause to worry about emphysema or asthma.
The chances of Mandela having cancer are significantly reduced because of his lifestyle. He has had a prostatectomy, so there is no chance of prostate cancer and, because he is black, the risk of skin cancer is insignificant. He would have been screened for stomach and bowel cancer this week, though.
There are only two recorded cases of black men with Alzheimer’s disease in the history of medicine, so Mandela is an unlikely candidate.
“There is very little likelihood he is suffering from senility. The first thing that goes is memory, long before judgment suffers. There is no sign of the president having memory problems. He makes speeches without notes and quotes extensively from previous meetings and incidents in the past,” said a physician.
Doctors are concerned about the stressful life Mandela leads, but, commented one, “He does not strike me as a stressed person, although we have seen him come close to losing his temper a few times … PW Botha was a prime candidate for a stroke because of the way he used to get worked up over everything.”
Doctors believe that, unlike other politicians, Mandela is fortunate to have sustained friendships spanning decades. Many powerful men are surrounded by hangers-on basking in their glory but unavailable to support them when they are stressed.
University of Cape Town Professor in Geriatric Medicine Stephen Louw said although Mandela appeared unusually able to dissipate stress, he was concerned about the president’s punishing schedule.
“After watching the television programme A Day with the President last year, I felt it was a bit unrealistic to expect so much from him. He flew to Cape Town and back to Johannesburg late at night in one day — that would be exhausting for most people,” Louw said.
His programme should be more tightly controlled, said Louw.”He’s obviously an immensely conscientious person who believes he must be available when needed. This may be healthy for the nation, but it could be hazardous to his health.”
Mandela’s Health:
Brain: While the incidence of senility and dementia does increase among older people, doctors say Mandela’s public performance shows no sign of either. As a black man, the chances of his contracting Alzheimer’s disease are practically non-existent
Stress: Mandela may look troubled here, but doctors say that he handles stress very well
Heart: Mandela’s race, non-smoking habits, careful eating, 27-year prison diet and frequent exercise reduce the risk of a heart attack. But doctors will have checked his cholesterol and given him an ECG to see if there are any signs of an irregular heart beat
Weight: Certainly not overweight. He exercises regularly and does not seem to have a sweet tooth
Blood pressure: There is an increasing incidence of high blood pressure among South Africa’s black population. If the president’s pressure falls outside the expected range of between 150/90 to 160/95, he will need treatment to reduce the risk of heart failure
Ankles: Some observers have noticed a slight swelling of the ankles, which can point to slight heart weakness
Eyesight: Mandela has had one minor operation for blocked tear ducts, the result of working in the Robben Island limestone quarries
Hearing: He shows signs of auditory degeneration, normal at his age
Lungs: Because Mandela contracted TB while in prison, his lungs will certainly have been checked this week. There is no cause to worry about emphysema or asthma because Mandela is capable of walking long distances
Bowel and stomach: The chances of Mandela having cancer are significantly reduced because of his lifestyle. He would have been screened for stomach and bowel cancer this week, though. The other most likely forms of cancer, affecting the skin and prostate, are unlikely because he is black and has had his prostate removed
Bladder: Doctors will have checked uric acid levels for any sign of kidney problems
Muscles: His muscle tone appears to be quite good and he seems strong and agile. There are no indications of some of the usual signs of age, like stumbling or falling often. ‘He can probably duck quickly if someone shoots at him,’ says a physician
Diary: Too full. If there is any reason to be concerned, it is that he leads a life which would exhaust a 20 year old