Health problems can be career killers. One study showed that six months after a heart attack, only 15% of patients resumed full-time work. This compares to 68% of non-heart attack sufferers who returned to the same workplace after less than ten days of absence.
Poor health can inhibit your career in several ways. First of all, you may have to take sick days or even disability leave. If you're out for more than a few days, the rest of your team is going to get antsy and start wondering why you haven't fixed whatever is wrong with you. That's not a good way to build up your status and authority in the organization.
There are other major health problems that can affect your career advancement in one way or another. Even little health problems that you do not think much of can affect your career. Your career choice involves making long-term plans for your future and waiting for an opportunity you are interested in before seizing it. If you have any previous health problems, any minor illness now or later might hamper the chances of your future success.