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

When Awards-Show Humor Meets Cultural Divide

Conan O’Brien’s Oscars monologue delivered the kind of quick, polished humor viewers expect from a major awards show, but his comment about Kid Rock carried a sharper…

The Quiet Strength of Becoming More Yourself

What may seem, at first glance, like a form of fading is often something far more meaningful: a return to self. You are not shrinking, disappearing, or…

Drivers ‘must’ have this item in their cars from this week

A cold morning can quickly create risky driving conditions, especially when windscreens fog up. What seems like a small inconvenience can become a serious hazard in seconds….

Every country that has rejected Donald Trump’s call to join the war against Iran – and one surprising country that agreed

Donald Trump has faced a cautious response from allies after seeking support for “Operation Epic Fury,” a U.S.-led move targeting Iran. Many nations have hesitated or declined…

Household urged to keep one surprising item ready at home in case of war

Rising global tensions have left many people feeling uneasy, as conflicts, airstrikes, and political instability dominate headlines. In uncertain times, the question of personal preparedness becomes increasingly…

House Advances Bill to Create More Affordable Housing In Priority for Trump

A recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives surprised even some insiders, as lawmakers advanced a sweeping housing proposal aimed at increasing affordability nationwide. The legislation,…