President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency following recent observations of leg swelling and bruising, the White House confirmed on Thursday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the President underwent vascular testing after noting “mild swelling in his lower legs.” The tests, conducted by the White House medical team, included bilateral lower extremity intravenous Doppler ultrasounds.
“The diagnostic studies revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing at the White House.
According to the medical team, there was no indication of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, and Trump’s echocardiogram showed normal cardiac structure and function. Leavitt assured reporters that all results were “within normal limits.”
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when veins in the legs are unable to return blood efficiently to the heart, leading to pooling of blood and swelling. The condition is not considered serious and is typically treated with lifestyle changes, medications, or minor procedures, depending on severity.
Leavitt also addressed speculation over visible bruises on the back of the President’s hand, attributing them to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.”
When asked about whether the President felt any discomfort from the condition, Leavitt responded, “Nope. No discomfort from the president at all. And you probably all see that on a day-to-day basis. He’s working around the clock.”
She said a full medical letter from the President’s doctor would be released soon with additional details on the diagnosis and treatment plan.
Trump, who underwent his annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in April, was described as being in “excellent health” at the time by Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, the physician who oversaw the examination.
The White House maintains that President Trump remains fit for duty.
