Donald Trump, the United States president, has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory condition common among older adults, after noticing mild swelling in his lower legs, the White House said on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, described the condition as “a common and manageable issue, particularly in individuals over the age of 70”. She said the diagnosis followed a series of medical evaluations conducted by the White House Medical Unit, after the 79-year-old president reported ongoing swelling in his lower limbs.
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According to Leavitt, Trump underwent comprehensive testing including blood work, vascular scans and an echocardiogram. The evaluation revealed no evidence of deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, heart failure or any systemic illness, she said.
“The president’s cardiac structure and function are normal,” Leavitt stated, quoting a letter from Trump’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella.
“Importantly,” she added, “all laboratory results were within normal limits.”
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Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the valves in the leg veins fail to function effectively, leading to blood pooling in the lower extremities. While the condition is not considered life-threatening, it can cause discomfort, swelling, varicose veins, and, in more severe cases, skin changes and leg ulcers.
Age is a significant risk factor, and the condition affects an estimated 150,000 people in the United States each year.
Leavitt said Trump insisted on sharing the findings publicly “in the effort of transparency”.
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In response to recent media scrutiny over discolouration seen on the back of the president’s hand in public photographs, Leavitt attributed the marks to a combination of frequent handshaking and aspirin use. “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation,” she said. “It’s a benign and well-documented side effect of standard cardiovascular prevention therapy.”
She emphasised that Trump “remains in excellent health”, adding, “I think all of you witness that on a daily basis.”
Trump, who was inaugurated in January as the oldest president in US history, has made regular efforts to project physical vigour despite his age. His latest medical report, while confirming a chronic condition, is unlikely to raise major concerns among health professionals, given the lack of more serious complications.
bStill, the disclosure underscores the delicate balance of transparency and image management that often accompanies health updates about sitting presidents — especially those in their late seventies.
