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.

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

Olympic Gold, Presidential Praise, and the Conversation That Followed

A dramatic Olympic hockey tournament concluded with a thrilling victory for the U.S. men’s national team, who secured gold in a high-intensity championship game against Canada. The…

Beyond Hollywood: How Ashton Kutcher Turned Tech Innovation Into Child Protection Advocacy

Public perception of Ashton Kutcher has long been shaped by his acting career and early television success. Yet over the past decade, a different dimension of his public life…

Reform UK’s Deportation Proposal Sparks Heated National Debate

A proposal from Reform UK has reignited debate over immigration enforcement in Britain. Party representatives have outlined plans to establish a new government agency focused specifically on removing individuals…

A White House Photo Sparks Debate Over Symbolism and Diplomacy

Presidential décor inside the White House has long reflected moments each administration considers historically or personally significant. From portraits of past leaders to framed images of diplomatic…

A Second Chance at Retirement: How One Veteran’s Story Inspired a Nation

Most of us grow up believing that after decades of work, our later years will bring rest, stability, and dignity. Retirement is meant to offer warmth, security,…

The Stories We Carry: Reflections on a Childhood Memory

Some memories linger not because of grand events, but because of small, quiet details. One of my earliest recollections is a faint scar on my mother’s upper…