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

Vanished Before The Heartbeat Stopped

I replay that night in my mind like glitching surveillance footage, each frame refusing to make sense. The hospital said “equipment failure,” then “possible elopement,” as if…

How to recognize the key warning signs of common scams, protect your personal and financial information, strengthen your awareness of fraud tactics, and take proactive steps to avoid being targeted or deceived by increasingly sophisticated scammers in the future across online, phone, and in-person interactions.

hoping for formulas that promise rapid transformation. Modern culture reinforces this desire, offering quick fixes and simplified answers that appear efficient but rarely provide lasting depth. Genuine…

What’s behind 3 a.m. wake-ups in older people — and should you worry?

Waking in the middle of the night is common, but repeatedly opening your eyes between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. may signal more than a random disturbance….

Olympic Champion U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Receives Unique Celebration Offer After Scheduling Conflict With White House Event

Fresh off a thrilling Olympic victory, the U.S. women’s hockey team captured global attention both for their performance and the recognition that followed. Their dramatic 2–1 win…

You won’t be fooled again after seeing this

The life lessons often linked to Albert Einstein extend far beyond physics. They focus on thinking clearly, staying curious, and making thoughtful decisions. Instead of chasing shortcuts, these ideas…

Health Warning Issued Over Viral Trend Linked to Team USA Star Alysa Liu

The moment was meant to be untouchable. A 20-year-old champion stood on Olympic ice, tears freezing on her cheeks, becoming the first American woman in decades to…