Throughout history, US presidents have faced immense physical and mental pressures, often while concealing serious medical conditions. From secret surgeries to public health crises, here are 28 surprising or significant medical issues experienced by American presidents.
1. Joe Biden – Atrial Fibrillation and Cancer
President Biden has been treated for atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots and stroke. He manages the condition with medication and regular monitoring. After leaving office, in May 2025, Biden was diagnosed with stage-4 prostate cancer.
2. Herbert Hoover – Heart Disease
In his later years, Hoover suffered from cardiovascular problems and hypertension. His health slowly declined, but he lived to age 90.
3. Barack Obama – High Cholesterol
During his presidency, Obama was noted to have slightly elevated cholesterol. He managed it with diet, exercise, and medication.
4. John F. Kennedy – Addison’s Disease
JFK suffered from Addison’s disease, a rare adrenal disorder, which he concealed from the public. He also experienced chronic back pain and was heavily medicated throughout his presidency.
5. Abraham Lincoln – Depression
Lincoln battled severe depression and melancholy throughout his life. Friends often noted his frequent mood swings and emotional lows.
6. Franklin D. Roosevelt – Polio
FDR contracted polio in 1921, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. He used leg braces and a wheelchair, though he took great care to appear standing in public.
7. Ronald Reagan – Alzheimer’s Disease
Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years after leaving office. Some historians speculate early symptoms may have emerged during his presidency.
8. Woodrow Wilson – Stroke
In 1919, Wilson suffered a massive stroke that left him partially paralyzed. His wife, Edith, effectively ran many executive functions during his incapacitation.
9. Dwight D. Eisenhower – Heart Attack
While in office, Eisenhower suffered a major heart attack in 1955 and underwent emergency treatment. He later had intestinal surgery and a mild stroke.
10. George W. Bush – Colorectal Polyps
President George W. Bush underwent multiple colonoscopies to remove benign polyps. The procedures were routine, but temporarily transferred power to the vice president.
11. Bill Clinton – Heart Surgery
In 2004, Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery after experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. He later had two stents inserted due to artery blockage.
12. George H.W. Bush – Graves’ Disease
Bush suffered from Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid. It led to fatigue, weight loss, and eye issues during his presidency.
13. Thomas Jefferson – Migraines
Jefferson reportedly suffered from chronic migraines and gastrointestinal issues. He often treated his ailments with wine, horseback riding, and long walks.
14. Andrew Jackson – Lead Poisoning
Jackson carried bullets in his body from duels and suffered from chronic pain and lead poisoning. His health was notoriously poor, but he remained fiercely active.
15. James Madison – Epilepsy
Madison likely had epilepsy, experiencing seizures from a young age. This condition was largely hidden from the public at the time.
16. William Howard Taft – Sleep Apnea
Taft, the heaviest president in history, likely suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. His health improved significantly after losing over 70 pounds post-presidency.
17. Chester A. Arthur – Bright’s Disease
Arthur had Bright’s disease, a historical term for kidney failure. The illness was kept secret until near the end of his presidency.
18. Grover Cleveland – Cancer
Cleveland secretly had a tumor removed from the roof of his mouth in 1893. The risky surgery was done on a yacht to avoid public panic.
19. Richard Nixon – Phlebitis
Nixon suffered from phlebitis, a vein inflammation that can lead to blood clots. He had surgery for the condition in 1974.
20. Ulysses S. Grant – Throat Cancer
After leaving office, Grant was diagnosed with throat cancer, likely caused by years of cigar smoking. He wrote his memoirs while suffering greatly from the disease.
21. Martin Van Buren – Asthma
Van Buren experienced frequent asthma attacks, which were poorly understood and difficult to treat in the 19th century.
22. John Adams – Depression
Adams endured depressive episodes, often writing of his intense mood swings in his letters. His mental health struggles were common among Founding Fathers.
23. Benjamin Harrison – Influenza
Harrison contracted influenza during a major outbreak in 1901 and died from complications. The flu was a common killer in the pre-antibiotic era.
24. Donald Trump – COVID-19 and Benign Polyp and Diverticulitis
In October 2020, President Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized at Walter Reed. He received experimental treatments, including monoclonal antibodies and dexamethasone. Dr. Barbabella also shared that the President had undergone a colonoscopy in the summer of 2024, during which it was revealed that he had a benign polyp and diverticulitis, which is inflammation in the pockets of the colon.
25. Calvin Coolidge – Depression
After the death of his teenage son in 1924, Coolidge reportedly fell into a deep depression. His presidency became more passive following the tragedy.
26. Millard Fillmore – Stroke
Fillmore died of a stroke in 1874 after several years of declining health. He had previously suffered from digestive disorders as well.
27. James K. Polk – Diarrhea and Exhaustion
Polk reportedly worked himself into the ground and suffered from chronic diarrhea and fatigue. He died just three months after leaving office.
28. Zachary Taylor – Gastroenteritis
Taylor died suddenly in 1850, officially from acute gastroenteritis. Some conspiracy theories suggest he was poisoned, though modern tests dispute this.
