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

Rajee Narinesingh had her face pumped with cement and superglue– this is her today

Rajee Narinesingh, one of the best known transgender women in America, has gone through so much in her life. Born in 1967, before the Internet became huge…

They Brought the Past to Life… and Shocked Everyone

When the wartime choir The D-Day Darlings stepped onto the stage of Britain’s Got Talent, it didn’t feel like a typical audition. Dressed in vintage military-style uniforms, they brought a…

How to Respond When a Sudden Health Emergency Strikes in Public

What begins as an ordinary outing can shift in seconds. In a situation like Emma’s, the first signs—tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness—can escalate quickly,…

How Imperfection Makes the Starbucks Logo Feel Human

At first glance, the Starbucks logo feels polished and iconic—something you’ve seen so often it almost fades into the background. But its power doesn’t come from perfection….

Haircut Health Warning: The Infection You Can Catch at the Salon and How to Stay Safe

A routine haircut for a 27-year-old man led unexpectedly to a skin infection that developed a few days after the visit. At first, everything seemed normal after…

Halo Brows Are the New Playful Beauty Trend Everyone Is Talking About

Eyebrows have long played an important role in beauty, shaping facial expression and reflecting changing aesthetic trends across different eras. Their styling often shifts with cultural influence…