The White House on Thursday confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a chronic vein condition, following public speculation over visible bruising on his hand and swelling in his legs captured in recent photographs.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the 79-year-old president underwent a comprehensive vascular exam after experiencing leg swelling. The tests revealed chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common but benign condition in older adults, where leg veins fail to effectively pump blood back to the heart, causing pooling and swelling in the lower limbs.
“Veins and valves normally propel the blood up and out of the leg and back toward the heart,” explained Dr. Meryl Logan, a vascular surgeon at the University of Texas at Austin. “In CVI, those valves don’t work properly, so blood flows backward, down the legs.”
White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella issued a detailed note stating that the condition poses no serious health risk and is especially common in individuals over 70. He confirmed there were no signs of deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, heart failure, kidney problems, or other systemic illness, and said Trump remains in “excellent health.”
The announcement comes after Trump’s swollen legs were noticed during the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey on July 13, and bruising on his right hand was observed during meetings this week with Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and earlier this year with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Addressing the bruising, Leavitt said it was caused by “tissue damage from frequent handshaking” while the president is taking aspirin, a common medication for cardiovascular health that can increase the likelihood of bruising, especially in older adults.
“It’s a plausible explanation,” said Dr. Matthew Edwards, chair of vascular surgery at Wake Forest University. “Older people, especially those on aspirin or blood thinners, often bruise more easily. A firm handshake could be enough to cause it.”
Health experts stressed that CVI, while uncomfortable, is manageable. Recommended treatments include compression stockings, leg elevation, moisturizing, and managing risk factors like obesity or standing for long periods.
Trump, who at 78 years and seven months became the oldest U.S. president ever inaugurated in January for his second term, has often touted his physical fitness, once declaring himself “the healthiest president that’s ever lived.” Following his annual physical in April, Dr. Barbabella reported that Trump “exhibits cognitive and physical health.”
Despite ongoing scrutiny over his age and public appearances, the White House insists the president’s condition is under control and does not impact his ability to serve.
Written By Rodney Mbua
