Health Highlights: March 9, 2016

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

‘Fifth Beatle’ George Martin Dead at 90

Beatles producer and arranger George Martin — often referred to as the fifth Beatle — has died at age 90.

Martin “passed away peacefully,” his management company told NBC News early Wednesday.

In a statement, Paul McCartney described Martin as “the most generous, intelligent and musical person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know,” and that the “world has lost a truly great man who left an indelible mark on my soul and the history of British music.”

Martin played a major role in the Beatles sound and helped the band succeed as it evolved from its early material to more intricate songs on 1965’s “Rubber Soul” and 1966’s “Revolver,” NBC News reported.

As the Beatles struggled through ups and downs in the late 1960s, Martin stuck with the band and was respected by the four members no matter how severe the in-fighting between them.

Martin worked with many other musicians during his career, including Cilla Black, Tom Jones, and America, NBC News reported.

Career Artist Management released a statement that said: “In a career that spanned seven decades he was recognized globally as one of music’s most creative talents and a gentleman to the end. The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

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Obama in Excellent Shape: Doctor

The results of President Barack Obama’s latest physical exam show he is in excellent health and has lowered his cholesterol level, gained muscle, and lost five pounds since his last exam in 2014.

In the latest exam conducted in February, the 6-foot-1 Obama weighed 175 pounds, compared with 179.9 pounds in 2010, 181.3 pounds in 2011 and 180 pounds in 2014, the Associated Press reported.

The 54-year-old president’s total cholesterol fell from 213 to 188, and his “bad” LDL cholesterol level is 125, below the recommended 130. His “good” HDL cholesterol level is 68, above the recommended 60.

Obama’s body mass index is 22.8, his resting heart rate is 56 beats per minute, and his blood pressure is 110/68, all of which are considered normal, the AP reported.

“All clinical data indicates that the president is very healthy and that he will remain so for the duration of his presidency,” Obama’s personal physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, wrote in a memorandum provided to reporters.

The doctor said Obama has a healthy lifestyle and exercises daily, with an emphasis on aerobics and resistance weight training, the AP reported.

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