The White House announced on Thursday that President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
The announcement followed growing public speculation over visible swelling in the president’s legs and bruises on his hands.
Why It Matters
Trump, who is 79 years old and is the oldest person to serve a second term, has faced intensifying scrutiny over his age and cognitive fitness.
While his physician recently declared him “fully fit” after a comprehensive physical that included a perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, public concern about his health has persisted.
Trump frequently criticized former President Joe Biden over concerns about his health during last year’s presidential election, with Biden eventually dropping out of the race.
What To Know
The White House released a memo from the president’s physician, Sean Barbabella, on Thursday which revealed the president was diagnosed with CVI after he noticed swelling in his legs.
“The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” the memo said.
At a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the president’s medical team found “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.” She also said Trump was not experiencing any discomfort related to the condition.
It comes after Trump was spotted with heavily swollen ankles at a number of public events in recent months.
A photo taken during Trump’s White House meeting with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Wednesday, showed the president’s left ankle which appeared to be swollen and bulging out of his shoe.
Photos from the same event also showed Trump’s hand with what appeared to be makeup covering up a bruise or blemish.
Leavitt said the bruise on his hand was “consistent” with irritation from “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.” She added that “the president remains in excellent health.”
What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
CVI is a condition in which the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood back to the heart. This occurs when the one-way valves inside the leg veins—responsible for keeping blood flowing upward—become damaged or weakened. As a result, blood can pool in the lower extremities, leading to swelling, discomfort, and a range of other symptoms.
The condition is most often caused by factors such as aging, obesity, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, a history of blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis), or the presence of varicose veins. Over time, the increased pressure from trapped blood can lead to visible changes in the skin and even open sores, particularly around the ankles.
Symptoms of CVI include leg swelling, aching or cramping, heaviness, visible varicose veins, skin discoloration, and in more advanced cases, ulcers around the ankles. These symptoms often worsen after long periods of standing or sitting and improve with leg elevation.
Is CVI Life Threatening?
While CVI is generally not life-threatening, it can significantly affect quality of life if left untreated. It may also increase the risk of complications like cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection) or DVT.
CVI is a manageable condition, particularly when diagnosed early. However, in older adults or those with other underlying health issues, it may point to broader concerns about circulatory health. The condition is not reversible.
How Is CVI Treated?
Treatment for CVI depends on severity but often starts with lifestyle changes like regular exercise, leg elevation, and wearing compression stockings. In more persistent or severe cases, medical interventions such as sclerotherapy, laser therapy, or vein surgery may be recommended to improve blood flow and relieve symptoms.
How Common Is CVI?
CVI is very common, especially among older adults. In the United States, it’s estimated to affect more than 25 million adults, with roughly 6 million experiencing advanced stages of the condition.
Prevalence studies in the general population show that 1–17 percent of men and 1–40 percent of women are affected to varying degrees. The likelihood of developing CVI increases with age—affecting up to 40 percent of women and 17 percent of men, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In clinical settings, incidence rates suggest around 150,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S., with total health care costs nearing $500 million per year, the NIH reported.
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