John McCain and Presidential Mortality

The National Center for Health Statistics states that the average life expectancy of an American male is 72 years old, but varies based on life experience.
John McCain just turned 72 years old this past August 29, 2008.

If elected to the Office of the President of the United States, he will be the oldest first-term President ever elected. (Although, Ronald Reagan was actually one year older than John McCain when Reagan was re-elected to a second term in the Office of the Presidency).

John McCain has been very restrictive with his medical records, so any forecast is based on limited information.The only way to attempt to determine his health status is by looking at life experience and breaking down the facts

McCain- Positive Health Factors

• He has out-lived more than 50% of the people diagnosed with his types of skin cancers.

• He has survived 6 years as a POW (1967-1973) -surviving mental and physical torture..and that which does not kill you makes you stronger.

• He has a long history of Naval and military training which has required him to maintain a high level of physical fitness

• McCain's mother is 94 years old and still looking good and spunky as ever...so he has good genes.
  

McCain Negative Health Factors

• He Has Skin Cancer.

• He smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 25 years.

• Holding the office of the President of the United States, because of the extra stress, odd hours, and extra travel, ages the holder 3 years for every calendar year, so McCain will have aged to 84 years old at the end of 4 years in office.
  

• Some people speculate that because former Vietnam POW's were tortured, they are dying at an earlier age than their peers, on that basis John McCain may have less than a 60% chance of surviving a four year term as President.

Presidential Health Facts

Other Presidents, younger than John McCain, have died in office, but as the disclaimer goes, past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

20% of America's Presidents (9/43) have come to office unexpectedly in mid-term from the vice presidency due to a death, illness or other circumstance.
Since FDR died, 27% of America's Presidents (3/11) have come to office unexpectedly in mid-term from the vice presidency.

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First answer by Eliesheva. Last edit by Nirel. Contributor trust: 671 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 38 [recommend question]