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

From Quiet Moment to Viral Story: Why We Should Pause Before We Assume

A late-night sighting of Donald Trump quickly turned into a widely discussed online topic, despite the moment itself being uneventful. With no official context—just a few unclear images and…

NEW FOOTAGE SURFACES: Additional surveillance video from Nancy Guthrie’s house has helped police track down and arrest the alleged kidnapper

There’s no credible, verified reporting that Savannah Guthrie’s mother has been abducted or is the subject of an active FBI case like the one described. The narrative…

Hospital Shooting Prompts Safety Review

Police responded to a reported shooting at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital on Thursday morning, prompting a lockdown and a large emergency presence. The incident began around…

Nutritionists wa:rn that eating eggs every morning can cause…..

Eggs are a simple but highly nutritious food that can support overall health when included in a balanced diet. They are especially valued for their high-quality protein,…

Leadership Changes at FEMA Spark Debate Over the Agency’s Future

The claim that Cameron Hamilton was abruptly removed as acting FEMA chief and “erased” within 24 hours is not something supported by widely verified, credible reporting. It…

Alan Osmond: Leadership, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Spotlight

Alan Osmond is best known as a driving force behind The Osmonds, a group that rose to international fame through music, television, and live performances. As the eldest performing…