President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency
A New Health Update from the White House
On Thursday, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a medical condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. During a routine news briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that the 79-year-old president noticed swelling in his legs, prompting a check-up with his doctor, who confirmed the diagnosis.
In addition to the vein condition, Trump was recently photographed with patches of makeup on the back of his hand. The White House clarified that this is unrelated to his venous issue and is instead bruising resulting from frequent handshaking.
Understanding Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is described as "benign and common," particularly among individuals over the age of 70, according to a note from Captain Sean Barbabella, the White House physician. This condition occurs when leg veins fail to allow blood to flow back to the heart effectively, causing blood to pool in the lower limbs.
As people age, the normal process of blood flow from the legs back to the heart can become challenging due to weakening valves in the veins.
Symptoms of CVI
When blood pools in the legs, it can lead to symptoms such as swelling—similar to what has been observed in Trump’s ankles in recent photographs. Other symptoms may include pain, itching, and in more severe cases, changes to the skin, ulcers, bleeding, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots in the leg.
Dr. Matthew Edwards, chair of the Department of Vascular Surgery at Wake Forest University, noted, “It can be associated with serious conditions, but in and of itself it is not a serious condition, and one that is very common.” He estimates that between 10% and 35% of people in Trump’s age group may experience this condition.
Doctor's Assessment
Following the observation of swelling in his legs, President Trump was evaluated by the White House Medical Unit "out of an abundance of caution," according to Dr. Barbabella. The comprehensive examination confirmed the diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, which he described as a "benign and common condition."
Dr. Barbabella emphasized that there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, stating that Trump "remains in excellent health." Tests also indicated normal cardiac structure and function, with no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness.
Regarding the bruising on Trump’s hand, Dr. Barbabella explained that it is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.
Potential Impact of the Condition
The Society for Vascular Surgery in the US notes that chronic venous insufficiency can lead to symptoms such as heaviness in the affected limb, swelling, and pain. In some cases, it may also cause painful cramps, spasms, and leg ulcers, potentially reducing mobility and physical activity.
Experts recommend wearing custom-made, medical-grade compression stockings, elevating the legs at night, and using lotion to manage the condition. Prof. Ian Chetter, president of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, stated that the condition is "very, very rarely life-threatening."
Trump's Health History
In April, Trump underwent his first annual physical of his second presidential term, during which Dr. Barbabella reported that the president remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function.
The health assessment revealed that Trump takes several medications to control his cholesterol, including Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe, as well as Aspirin for cardiac prevention and Mometasone cream for a skin condition.
Trump has often touted his good health, once claiming to be "the healthiest president that's ever lived." After his first annual physical, he expressed confidence in his health, stating, “Overall, I felt I was in very good shape,” and adding that he believed he had "a good heart, a good soul, a very good soul."