In this opinion article, vascular and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr.Anahita Dua argues that President Donald Trump's public comments about passing cognitive tests should not be viewed as definitive proof of exceptional mental fitness.

Instead, she contends that the discussion highlights a broader issue: the United States lacks a standardized system for evaluating the cognitive health of presidential candidates and sitting presidents.

Dua notes that many professions involving significant responsibility, such as aviation, medicine, and the military, require periodic cognitive or physical assessments, while the presidency does not.

She argues that cognitive decline is a medical reality that can affect anyone regardless of political affiliation and that voters deserve objective information about the mental fitness of national leaders.

The article explains that one commonly referenced screening tool, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), is designed to identify potential cognitive concerns and determine whether further evaluation is needed.However, Dua emphasizes that passing the test does not demonstrate superior cognitive ability or guarantee full mental fitness.

She compares passing a MoCA to passing a routine vision test when renewing a driver's license: reassuring in some circumstances but not conclusive evidence of exceptional performance.

The author rejects concerns that cognitive testing would unfairly stigmatize older individuals, arguing that transparency would strengthen public trust and reduce speculation.

She also stresses that age alone is not a reliable measure of competence, since some people remain highly capable into old age while others experience decline earlier.

Ultimately, the article calls for objective, routine cognitive evaluations for presidents and candidates as a matter of public accountability and voter confidence.