Health and Medical History of President

James Polk

It appears that repetitive strain injuries from hand-shaking is an occupational illness among politicians. Like William McKinley, Polk developed a technique allowing him to "shake hands during the whole day without suffering any bad effects from it" 1a. MORE

Died shortly after leaving office. Some have written that Polk worked so hard while President that he weakened himself physically and succumbed to disease as a result 2a.