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.”

Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989

Bush’s press assistant said in a statement that a “sebaceous cyst on the third finger of his left hand was drained. The President is wearing a Band-Aid on the finger, which he can remove within the next few hours. This cyst has been present for many years and does not present a medical problem.”

“In excellent health,” Reagan was told by the White House physician after being checked out by 14 experts in October 1981. Notably, he said that the president had “fully recovered” from the gunshot wounds he got in March 1981 during an attempt on his life.

Related Posts

10 Celebs Who Don’t Care About “What People Say” When It Comes to Breastfeeding

Being a woman is no simple task. And if we talk about being a mother, the equation becomes twice as complicated. Among all the challenges that motherhood…

The strange, terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis

If you’ve ever woken up unable to move or speak — even though your mind was fully awake — you’ve likely experienced something called sleep paralysis. It’s…

Glenn Close reveals elaborate death plans already underway

Shutterstock.com Glenn Close is now 78 years old and is thinking of her last few years on earth and how exactly she wants to spend them. Keep…

A Spacious Country Retreat With Endless Possibilities at 680 Centerline Road

Set across an impressive 109 acres in Western New York, 680 Centerline Road offers a rare opportunity for those seeking room to grow, explore, and create a…

A Rare Chance to Restore and Reimagine a Historic New York Retreat

Set on nearly six acres of picturesque land, this New York property presents an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking privacy, space, and endless potential. Mature trees frame…

From Invisible to Unstoppable: How One Moment Can Redefine Your Story

Growing up, it’s easy to believe the labels others place on you—especially when those labels come from whispers, stares, or jokes that linger longer than anyone realizes….