McCain bid to reassure on health

US Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has released his medical records for the years 2000-2008.

The 1,173 pages of records reveal that the senator displays no recent signs of skin cancer and that his blood pressure and weight are healthy for his age.

If elected, the Arizona senator, 72 in August, would be the oldest person ever to win a first presidential term.

By releasing his records, Mr McCain hopes to reassure voters that his age will not be a problem, analysts say.

Running-mate

Mr McCain does take medicine to control his cholesterol, the records reveal.

The senator's personal physician, Dr John Eckstein, told the Associated Press news agency that Mr McCain's performance on a heart stress test was better than that of many younger patients.

"I think physiologically he is considerably younger than his chronologic age based on his cardiovascular fitness," he said.

Mr McCain's biggest health scares have come in the form of melanoma - the most dangerous variety of skin cancer.

The senator has had three bouts of melanoma, in 1993, 2000 and 2002, but none proved to have any long-lasting effects on his health.

OLDEST US PRESIDENTS

• Ronald Reagan: 69
• William Harrison: 68
• James Buchanan: 65
• George H W Bush: 64

In February 2008, doctors removed an early stage squamous cell carcinoma - an easily-cured skin cancer.

And during a routine colonoscopy in March, Mr McCain had some benign colon growths - known as polyps - taken out.

Mr McCain last released details of his medical history in 2000, during his first run for the presidency.

The records released at that time revealed details of the psychological assessments Mr McCain underwent after his period of captivity as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam in the 1970s.

Doctors concluded that Mr McCain's imprisonment had not left him with any mental scars.

Correspondents say that because of his age, Mr McCain's choice of running-mate will be closely scrutinised when it is announced.

If elected, Mr McCain's running-mate would become vice-president, and would therefore take over the presidency in the event of Mr McCain's death.

The senator is meeting three men this weekend who observers say are high up on Mr McCain's list of potential running mates: former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist.