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What Should We Know About the President’s Health?

History is full of presidential ailments—from Abraham Lincoln’s debilitating depression to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s paralyzing polio. Dwight Eisenhower had a heart attack and a stroke while in office. John F. Kennedy was plagued by a number of conditions, including Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, and severe back pain, none of which was publicly disclosed during his lifetime. Woodrow Wilson had a stroke so severe that his wife took over many of his routine duties. His successor, Warren Harding, had congestive heart failure and died of a heart attack two years into his presidency.

The length to which presidents have gone to hide their medical problems is captured by Grover Cleveland’s…

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Featured

  Medical History of American Presidents

This website tabulates the illnesses of American Presidents and other notable people. Both laypersons and physicians will find it interesting.

 What Presidents haven’t told us about their health over the years

History reveals an astounding list of hidden truths when it comes to the health of American Presidents.

Previously Featured

A Brief History of Presidents Disclosing—Or Trying to Hide—Health Problems

President Trump was direct about his COVID diagnosis, but many former presidents have been less forthcoming about their illnesses.

Epiglottitis Killed President George Washington?

A more likely cause of the sore throat that eventually lead to his death is a peritonsillar abscess, a far more common cause of sore throats that could lead to death if not treated. In any case, it is entirely possible that his physicians may have contributed to his death... blood-letting of 3.75 liters... Gosh... a human adult has about 5 liters of blood. As far as I'm concerned... that's medical malpractice and one could argue first degree murder. Add mercury poisoning as well.

Every president’s health, ranked

Why was Rutherford B. Hayes the healthiest US president of all time?

Every U.S. President & Every Medical Problem They've Ever Had

Some presidents were pretty healthy from a young age; others were sickly during their whole lives, and others were plagued with maladies on and off – no actual instances of plague, though, luckily. However, some of these presidential ailments might just surprise you.

How past U.S. presidents have battled illness in office

A hidden stroke. A heart attack that was presented as indigestion. The American presidency’s history of incapacity and sickness.

Is It Time to Start Testing Presidential Candidates for Cognitive Decline?

When asked if people should be concerned about the advanced age of the top tier of the political class, Mark Fisher, the University of California, Irvine neurology professor who was the lead author on that paper, said, "This is a very legitimate question, and should not be dismissed as 'ageism.'"

Presidential Diseases

From George Washington's toothlessness (he has no teeth left by middle age), to Grover Cleveland's gout, to Franklin D. Roosevelt's polio, to Ronald Reagan's Alzheimer disease, and finally to George W. Bush's colon polyps, presidents throughout history suffer from the same diseases and ailments like the rest of us.

Presidential Mercy as a Means to More Just Jurisprudence

President Obama commuted the sentences of hundreds of nonviolent drug offenders. But this is a drop in the bucket he should fill up before he leaves office.

Public Disclosure of Presidential Illnesses: The Discouraging History

As a review of the history shows, candor about presidential ailments has been more the exception than the rule.

The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness

Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?

The Medical Ordeals of JFK

The core of the Kennedy image was, in many respects, a lie. A presidential biographer, granted access to medical files, portrays a man far sicker than the public knew.

There’s a Long History of Presidential Health Being a Well-Kept Secret

The American public has mostly found out about health problems only after past presidents have left office.

Why Donald Trump Is Good for America

As a diagnostic tool for the health of the American political system, Candidate Trump is just what the doctor ordered.

Resources

5 Presidents Who Hid Their Health Issues

These Presidents didn't want the state of their health to affect the state of the nation.

America's Presidents

App from the Smithsonian.

Roadside Presidents

Who knew a bunch of guys with powdered wigs and nuclear arsenals could be this entertaining? From the travel experts at RoadsideAmerica.com, this road trip-ready app is a guide to Presidential landmarks like you've never seen before. Sure, there are the historical libraries and birthplaces, but also the quirky museums, obscure statues, and colorful folk art tributes to the nation's procession of Commanders in Chief. Hit the road with Roadside Presidents™ and see what's nearby, browse by city or by President, save your favorites.