Past Presidents’ Physicals: What We Know So Far


CNN looked at old reports from physical exams of former presidents. These reports usually include basic information like height, weight, and blood pressure. But they also include details like how Obama’s doctor removed a skin tag, how George H. W. Bush’s doctor drained a cyst on his finger, and how Gerald Ford’s doctor pushed for a swimming pool at the White House.

Presidential candidates aren’t required to share the results of their medical exam, but Jackson did so during a meeting on Tuesday and said on Friday that Trump was in “excellent health.”

Here is a look at how healthy past leaders were based on the exams they had.

From 1974 to 1977: President Gerald Ford

In January 1975, Ford’s doctor told him, “happy to report he is in excellent health. The results of all medical tests were normal in every way.”

In July 1976, Ford had another physical. During this visit, his doctor said, “He has had no complaints … other than mild discomfort in his knee following periods of prolonged standing. The President has maintained his physical capacity for long working hours. He sleeps very well and continues to follow his diet and weighs between 195 and 198 pounds.”

Ford’s doctor wrote in 1975 that “the completion of the new White House swimming pool will provide him with short intervals for relaxation that can easily be fitted into his busy schedule.”

“I would like to take the time to acknowledge those citizens who, by their contributions, make a swimming pool available for the President in the White House,” Dr. William Lukash said at a press meeting in January 1976. “I might add that the President was reluctant to use the pool during the winter months because of his concern about energy conservation. I spoke to him about this and felt it was to his advantage to have the use of this pool because I thought it would be an improvement in his sense of well-being and make him more conducive to his feeling better the next day. … The President swims approximately 24 lengths of the pool, which adds up to about a quarter of a mile, and he does this in about 14 minutes.”

Related Posts

Tammy Slaton Of The 1000-lb. Sisters Shows 500-Pound Weight Loss Transformation In New Video

Tammy Slaton is commemorating her most recent weight loss achievement. The 1000-Lb. Sisters actress recently declared that, since starting her journey, she had shed 500 pounds in…

What Was That Strange Object in the Ceiling? A Viral Mystery Explained

A recent viral post caught widespread attention after a homeowner noticed something unusual protruding from their ceiling. The object was thin, hairless, and oddly positioned, making it…

Why Hidden-Image Puzzles Keep Capturing Our Attention

In the fast-moving world of online content, some images stand out not because they’re loud or complex, but because they invite you to slow down. Hidden-animal illusions…

A Single Word That Sparked a Global Conversation

In a setting known for tradition and carefully measured language, a brief response can stand out in unexpected ways. During an early press moment, Pope Leo XIV offered a…

How One Rebel Transformed Country Music Forever

Waylon Jennings grew up in Littlefield, Texas, where music became his escape and ambition. His early life changed forever in 1959 when he was supposed to be…

I woke up feeling like something was biŧing my upper back.

I woke up with a crawling sensation on my back—and immediately felt that something wasn’t right. It wasn’t sharp pain, just a lingering, uncomfortable feeling that something…