Outline:
The White House announced on Thursday that US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a medical condition frequently seen in older individuals, which leads to blood accumulation in the veins.
The confirmation was made following Trump’s examination for a “slight swelling” in his lower legs, according to officials.
The medical team at the White House, as stated by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, found that Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where the small valves within the veins, which normally help in pushing blood upward against gravity, gradually stop working effectively.
The spokesperson for the media also commented on the bruise on the back of Trump’s hand, visible in recent photographs where makeup was used that didn’t perfectly match his skin tone. He stated that the bruising was “consistent” with irritation caused by his “frequent handshakes and the use of aspirin.”
As per Leavitt, revealing Trump’s medical examination was intended to counter ongoing rumors regarding the 79-year-old leader’s well-being.
Leavitt did not specify when Trump, who is taking aspirin to lower the chances of a heart attack or stroke, first observed the swelling in his lower legs.
The medical report for April did not include a diagnosis.
In April, Trump underwent a detailed medical check-up involving over a dozen doctors, resulting in a three-page report that did not mention chronic venous insufficiency.
At that time, President Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella, concluded that the president’s joints and muscles exhibited a complete range of motion, with regular blood circulation and no signs of inflammation.
As part of the president’s regular health check-up and as an “extra precaution,” she mentioned that Trump underwent a “thorough examination” which involved vascular, lower leg, and ultrasound tests.
Leavitt, while examining a letter from Barbabella, observed that chronic venous insufficiency is a harmless ailment that frequently occurs in individuals above the age of 70.
She aimed to ease worries regarding Trump’s health, stating that the president’s tests showed no signs of deep vein thrombosis, a more severe medical issue where a blood clot develops in one or more of the deep veins in the body, typically in the legs.
No signs of arterial disease were found, Leavitt mentioned.
Situation not leading to Trump’s discomfort
As per Leavitt, Trump’s long-standing venous insufficiency was not resulting in any pain for the president, although she refrained from commenting on his treatment approach.
Leavitt, on the other hand, proposed that those specifics would be found in the doctor’s letter, which was eventually made public. However, the letter turned out to be identical to what she had previously read and contained no extra information.
Dr. Anahita Dua, a vascular surgeon at Mass General Brigham in Massachusetts, states that there is currently no cure for chronic venous insufficiency.
“Most people, likely including our president, have a mild to moderate version of it,” Dua stated, noting that he has never treated Trump.
However, as per the letter Leavitt read, individuals are frequently recommended to shed weight, take walks for physical activity, and raise their legs at intervals, with certain people being advised to use compression socks.
Severe cases of the condition can lead to complications over time, such as ulcers—sores on the lower legs—caused by blood clots, a possibility that Leavitt stated was excluded for Trump.