Really? High Blood Pressure? That's the best you can do?

I'm finding this a pretty unbelievable cover story.

The leader of Iraq's largest Shiite political party has left for the United States for medical checkups, an official at his office said Friday....

Al-Hakim, re-elected last week as leader of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, is not known to be suffering any health problems.

A week after al Hakim's SCIRI party (now SIIC) underwent a major restructuring defining its independence from Iran, it stands facing increasing interShia clashes with the Mahdi, and stands as the last major supporter of Maliki's government.

Now, it's top leader suddenly has to come to the US for blood pressure related tests?

What requires al Hakim meeting with someone so high profile they can't meet quietly or through proxy in Egypt, Jordan, or London?