Bush Passes Physical, but Adds 5 Pounds

President Bush strides across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 to board his helicopter for a short flight to the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Md. The 60-year-old commander in chief is scheduled to receive his annual physical examination. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite - AP)

Bush's overall cholesterol count is at a healthy level, dropping slightly to 174 from 178. There was a small rise in his high-density lipoprotein (HDL) count, or "good" cholesterol, and a smaller increase in his low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol.

The president's medical profile shows a low to very low risk of coronary artery disease. His resting pulse rate dropped to 46 beats per minute from 47. Well-trained athletes typically have resting pulse rate of between 40 and 60 beats per minute.

Doctors made Bush run on a treadmill for more than 26 minutes as part of a test that evaluates the performance of his heart. His heart beat reached 179 beats per minute; no signs or symptoms of cardiovascular problems were noted.

"I'll direct you toward the text, but he's still healthier than we are," Snow told a roomful of reporters.

Other information from Bush's checkup included:

_His body fat percentage rose to 16.8 from 15.79.

_His ability to see at a distance worsened a little, from 20/20 in both eyes to 20/30 in his right and 20/25 in his left. He uses reading glasses at times to see more clearly up-close. The doctors also noted floaters in his eyes, a normal sign of aging that seldom affect vision.

_He has experienced no recurrence of occasional reflux of stomach acid bouts.

_His six-day-a-week exercise regimen remained about the same: pedaling his mountain bike at up to 18 miles an hour for 15 miles to 20 miles a week; doing low-impact "hill work" on a treadmill; and free weight resistance training and stretching.

_He smokes a cigar now and then, drinks coffee and diet sodas and takes a daily multivitamin but does not routinely take any prescription medication.

After his physical, Bush met with 27 military men and women at the hospital, and presented Purple Hearts to seven of them.