But Dick Cheney has had four heart attacks, the first at the relatively young age of 37. Cheney's physicians consistently have sought to cast his condition in a positive light, even allowing him to walk unassisted from the hospital after being discharged Friday. I'd like to know, first as a cardiologist and then as John Q. Public. Since his selection last summer as Bush's running mate, Cheney has refused to release his medical records or allow his doctors to be interviewed. Their language has been very strong and indicates that Secretary Cheney is in no way impaired to serve.
Stress alters the body's functions and produces all kinds of changes.
Secretary Cheney has said that if he could deal with Desert Storm, he could deal with any kind of stress. But that was 10 years ago. And he's 10 years older. It's quite a different scenario than if it goes down, which means that, with exercise, there is even further impairment. I'd like to know his blood pressure and his cholesterol, and what other medications he is taking.