Ailing U.S. presidents

Hillary Clinton’s pneumonia diagnosis has made her health a prominent issue in the U.S. election, but this is not the first time that the fitness of a president or candidate has become a central political issue

Hillary Clinton stumbles leaving 9/11 ceremony

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921

Multiple strokes: Paralysed down left side. Paralysis was kept secret, but once discovered, it instigated 25th Amendment, stating vice president will assume power in event of president’s death or disability

Dwight D. Eisenhower 1953-1961

Heart attack: Left him hospitalised for several weeks while in office

Also: Crohn’s disease (inflammation of intestine), and light stroke that left him temporarily unable to speak

Ronald Reagan 1981-1989

Cancer: Treated for both prostate and skin cancer

Also: Urinary tract infections, arthritis, temporomandibular joint disease (dysfunction of jaw),
Alzheimer’s disease towards end of Administration

Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933-1945

Polio: Struck down aged 39, paralysing both legs. Personally funded research which led to creation of polio vaccine

Also: Anorexia nervosa. Killed by cerebral haemorrhage in 1945

John F. Kennedy 1961-1963

Addison’s disease: Incurable adrenal gland disorder, characterised by low blood pressure, weakness and
bronze discolouration of skin

Also: Treatment for chronic back pain led to painkiller addiction

George H.W. Bush 1989-1993

Staphylococcal infection: Almost killed him as teen

Also: Head and lung trauma, cysts, bleeding ulcers, arthritis, abnormal heart rhythm, Graves’ disease (autoimmune disease affecting thyroid)

Sources: Healthline Media, wire agencies

Pictures: Zdenek Gazda, Getty Images