Health
Before Biden, these 5 past presidents faced health issues amid re-election
President Biden announced on Sunday that he has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
Although the White House press office told Fox News Digital on Monday that “health was not a factor” in the president’s decision to withdraw, multiple doctors expressed concern about signs of cognitive decline after Biden’s widely criticized performance in the June 27 presidential debate.
Two medical experts told Fox News Digital their belief that Biden’s decision to step down is best for the president’s health.
AFTER BIDEN DROPS OUT OF RACE, DOCTORS REVEAL WHY THE DECISION WAS BEST FOR HIS HEALTH
Biden, however, isn’t the only president whose re-election was potentially thwarted by health issues or concerns.
Here are five others.
Presidents Woodrow Wilson, left, Franklin D. Roosevelt, center, and Theodore Roosevelt all experienced health issues while in office. (Getty Images)
1. Chester A. Arthur (21st president, 1881-1885)
After he became America’s 21st president in 1881, Chester Arthur experienced health complications due to malaria, which remained endemic in Washington, D.C., throughout the 19th century, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In 1882, Arthur continued to suffer from progressive fatigue, extreme weight loss and peripheral edema, the NIH reported.
JOE BIDEN WITH COVID AT AGE 81: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE RISK THE VIRUS POSES TO OLDER ADULTS
After a closer health inspection, Arthur was diagnosed with Bright’s disease, today known as chronic kidney disease.
Chester A. Arthur, 1829-86, 21st president of the United States, is shown in a portrait in the 1880s. (Glasshouse Vintage/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The president’s health worsened during his last two years in office, with reported symptoms of fluid retention, rigors (shaking or shivering), nausea and colicky abdominal pain.
As the 1884 election inched closer, Arthur sought a second term — but lost the Republican nomination to James G. Blaine, the speaker of the House.
Blaine went on to lose the election to Democrat Grover Cleveland.
Arthur died on Nov. 18, 1886, at age 57, according to the Smithsonian.
2. Theodore Roosevelt (26th president, 1901-1909)
Theodore Roosevelt took over as commander in chief at nearly 43 years old in 1901 following the assassination of President William McKinley, according to the White House Historical Association.
Roosevelt was then re-elected in 1904.
DOCTORS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT BIDEN’S APPARENT COGNITIVE ISSUES DURING DEBATE: ‘TROUBLING INDICATORS’
After William Howard Taft’s term, which began in 1909, Roosevelt decided to re-join the race in 1912, creating his own “Bull Moose” party.
While campaigning on Oct. 14, 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roosevelt was shot during an assassination attempt outside the Gilpatrick Hotel.
President Theodore Roosevelt is pictured at his office in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 1903. (History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The bullet was slowed by Roosevelt’s dense overcoat, his steel-reinforced eyeglasses case and his 50-page speech folded in his inner right jacket pocket, as History.com reported.
The bullet punctured the president’s right chest, but did not damage his lungs. It was left lodged inside his ribs — which was deemed safer than operating.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, OCTOBER 14, 1912, TEDDY ROOSEVELT SHOT IN CHEST, MAKES CAMPAIGN STOP MINUTES LATER
Roosevelt continued his campaign while in recovery — but was beaten by Democrat Woodrow Wilson in the 1912 election.
3. Woodrow Wilson (28th president, 1913-1921)
Woodrow Wilson carried out two full terms and intended to run for a third.
But the then-president was “severely hindered” by a neurological condition that caused him to suffer from strokes before and during his presidency, according to the NIH.
WHO IS ALICE ROOSEVELT LONGWORTH? WHITE HOUSE WILD CHILD AND ORIGINAL ‘WIT OF WASHINGTON,’ SAYS HISTORIAN
Before he took office, three strokes affected his right hand and left arm, and caused blindness in his left eye.
A damaging stroke during his presidency in October 1919 left Wilson paralyzed on the left side and with only partial vision in his right eye.
He was confined to his bed for several weeks, the NIH reported.
Woodrow Wilson’s portrait was taken during his campaign for New Jersey governor in 1910. (Circa Images/GHI/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Wilson did not sufficiently recover from this episode.
In 1920, the Republicans requested confirmation that he was still able to carry out his duties as required by the Constitution.
The president’s doctor, Dr. Cary Grayson, would not publicly comment on Wilson’s health status as Wilson pursued re-election for a third term.
PRESIDENTS DAY: GREAT ADVICE FROM GREAT US PRESIDENTS FOR MODERN-DAY AMERICA
By the time of the Democratic convention that summer, however, Grayson shared Wilson’s poor medical state with party leaders and rejected the idea of a third term.
Wilson was ultimately not given the presidential nomination, and Republican Warren G. Harding was elected in 1920.
4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (32nd president, 1933-1945)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms in office, as he was elected four times throughout the Depression and World War II.
Roosevelt had suffered from health issues since his paralysis as a result of polio at 39 years old, according to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum.
Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd U.S. president, is pictured at his desk in Washington, D.C., in 1933. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
During his third term in office, Roosevelt was diagnosed with heart disease, which was kept hidden from the public ahead of his re-election for a fourth term, the NIH reported.
Throughout 1944, Roosevelt’s team of doctors monitored his waning health, continuously recording high blood pressure measurements.
AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ: TEST YOURSELF ON PRESIDENTS, COUNTRY QUEENS AND THE BIG KAHUNA
These heart complications were attributed to the “unending stress and strain of the war,” according to the FDR Library and Museum.
Roosevelt was chosen as the Democratic nominee in 1944 and continued with his campaign, even while facing skepticism about his physical fitness for office.
President Franklin Roosevelt in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., in 1934. (History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Although he won his fourth presidential election, Roosevelt was “debilitated” by his condition, according to the NIH.
On April 12, 1945, Roosevelt complained of a headache to his physician, Dr. Howard Bruenn.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
Roosevelt’s blood pressure hit 300/190 and he lost consciousness.
Bruenn diagnosed the event as a stroke and declared the president dead at age 63.
5. Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th president, 1953-1961)
Dwight Eisenhower began his first term in 1953 and suffered from two major illnesses, according to the NIH.
He experienced a heart attack in September 1955, keeping him out of the White House for recovery until December.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Although Eisenhower got clearance from his doctors, the NIH reported that his cardiologists recommended against his running for a second term.
The president decided to run for re-election anyway, which was followed by his second major health event in June 1956 — resulting in a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.
President Dwight Eisenhower is pictured with Willy Brandt, mayor of West Berlin, in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 11, 1959. (Circa Images/GHI/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Eisenhower underwent an exploratory laparotomy and ileal bypass surgery for a bowel obstruction, which was successful.
After a full recovery, Eisenhower was re-elected for a second term, despite questions from the opposition about his fitness for office.
The following year, in November 1957, Eisenhower suffered a stroke but ultimately fulfilled his presidency.
After leaving office, Eisenhower suffered multiple heart attacks in the 1960s.
He died of congestive heart failure on March 28, 1969, at 78 years old.
Health
The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Health
‘SuperAgers’ stay mentally sharp well past 80, as scientists reveal the reason
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Top stories
→ Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why
→ One father’s nightly bathroom habit was missed sign of common cancer
→ 5 ways to preserve vision as you age, according to an ophthalmologist
SuperAger Ralph Rehbock sits with his wife in his home. (Shane Collins, Northwestern University)
On the lookout
→ Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic
→ Heavy snow is recipe for serious heart attack risk, experts say
→ Flu season could linger into spring as doctors warn of second wave
A doctor says the second wave of flu season may be worse than previous years. (iStock)
Conversation starters
→ One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower in aging adults
→ Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in homes
→ Some supplements may pose risks for people with diabetes, experts say
Medical advances
→ Alzheimer’s symptoms could be predicted years in advance through one simple test
→ Combination nasal spray vaccine could protect against COVID, flu and pneumonia
→ Weight-loss medications could impact sexual health in unexpected ways
Stat of the week
More than 59% of women may have high blood pressure by 2050, according to a new report from the American Heart Association.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Health
Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A new report by the American Heart Association (AHA) included some troubling predictions for the future of women’s health.
The forecast, published in the journal Circulation on Wednesday, projected increases in various comorbidities in American females by 2050.
More than 59% of women were predicted to have high blood pressure, up from less than 49% currently.
The review also projected that more than 25% of women will have diabetes, compared to about 15% today, and more than 61% will have obesity, compared to 44% currently.
As a result of these risk factors, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke is expected to rise to 14.4% from 10.7%.
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke in women is expected to rise to 14.4% from 10.7% by 2050. (iStock)
Not all trends were negative, as unhealthy cholesterol prevalence is expected to drop to about 22% from more than 42% today, the report stated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, a cardiologist and founder of Step One Foods in Minnesota, commented on these “jarring findings.”
“The fact that on our current trajectory, cardiometabolic disease is projected to explode in women within one generation should be a huge wake-up call,” she told Fox News Digital.
NEARLY 90% OF AMERICANS AT RISK OF SILENT DISEASE — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW
“Hypertension, diabetes, obesity — these are all major risk factors for heart disease, and we are already seeing what those risks are driving. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, eclipsing all other causes of death, including breast cancer.”
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. and around the world. (iStock)
Klodas warned that heart disease starts early, progresses “stealthily,” and can present “out of the blue in devastating ways.”
The AHA published another study on Thursday revealing one million hospitalizations, showing that heart attack deaths are climbing among adults below the age of 55.
The more alarming finding, according to Klodas, is that young women were found more likely to die after their first heart attack than men of the same age.
DOCTOR SHARES 3 SIMPLE CHANGES TO STAY HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT AS YOU AGE
“This is all especially tragic since heart disease is almost entirely preventable,” she said. “The earlier you start, the better.”
Children can show early evidence of plaque deposition in their arteries, which can be reversed through lifestyle changes if “undertaken early enough and aggressively enough,” according to the expert.
Moving more is one part of protecting a healthy heart, according to experts. (iStock)
Klodas suggested that rising heart conditions are associated with traditional risk factors, like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Doctors are also seeing higher rates of preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy, as well as gestational diabetes. Klodas noted that these are sex-specific risk factors that don’t typically contribute to complications until after menopause.
The best way to protect a healthy heart is to “do the basics,” Klodas recommended, including the following lifestyle habits.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Klodas especially emphasized making improvements to diet, as the food people eat affects “every single risk factor that the AHA’s report highlights.”
“High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, excess weight – these are all conditions that are driven in part or in whole by food,” she said. “We eat multiple times every single day, which means what we eat has profound cumulative effects over time.”
“Even a small improvement in dietary intake, when maintained, can have a massive positive impact on health,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“Even a small improvement in dietary intake, when maintained, can have a massive positive impact on health.”
The doctor also recommends changing out a few snacks per day for healthier choices, which has been proven to “yield medication-level cholesterol reductions” in a month.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Keep up that small change and, over the course of a year, you could also lose 20 pounds and reduce your sodium intake enough to avoid blood pressure-lowering medications,” Klodas added.
“Women should not view the AHA report as inevitable. We have power over our health destinies. We just need to use it.”
-
World2 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts2 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana5 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO2 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology7 days agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology7 days agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics7 days agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT