Eisenhower was recovering from a heart attack late in September 1955

Eisenhower initially planned on serving only one term, but he remained flexible in the case leading Republicans wanted him to run again. He was recovering from a heart attack late in September 1955 when he met with his closest advisors to evaluate the GOP's potential candidates; the group concluded that a second term was well advised, and he announced that he would run again in February 1956.