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

BILL CLINTON BREAKS DOWN DURING SHOCKING ANNOUNCEMENT

He didn’t say it for sympathy, and he didn’t say it to rewrite the past. He said it because carrying it any longer felt impossible. The nation…

If you drool while sleeping often, check for these 6 diseases

The problem of drooling while sleeping should not be ignored, as it may be a sign of some diseases. Xiao Liang, 25 years old (China), is a…

Psychologist highlights one incident that he believes ‘gave the game away’ that Donald Trump ‘has dementia’

A psychologist has pointed to a moment he believes revealed deeper concerns about President Trump’s cognitive health, suggesting it “gave the game away” regarding possible dementia. Dr….

How a Small Act of Kindness Can Quietly Change a Life

Late-night flights have a way of amplifying exhaustion. In the hush of a dim cabin, when engines hum and most passengers drift in and out of sleep,…

How to Spot the Subtle Signs Your Body Needs More Water

Water is easy to overlook precisely because it’s so constant. In the middle of packed schedules, caffeine-fueled mornings, and nonstop responsibilities, hydration often slips to the bottom…

How an Ordinary Dinner Became a Lesson in Food Awareness

What started as a relaxed evening out shifted unexpectedly after just a few bites. We had ordered simple dishes at a cozy restaurant, expecting comfort and conversation,…