President Donald Trump was examined for swelling in his legs and has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced Thursday.
Trump, 79, underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies” with the White House Medical Unit, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, reading from a note from the president’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella.
Barbabella’s note stated that “bilateral lower extremity venous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, ICD-9, a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”
The examination came after Trump had “noted mild swelling in his lower legs” over recent weeks, Leavitt said.
Reading Barbabella’s note, Leavitt said there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” and that Trump’s lab testing was all “within normal limits.” Trump also underwent an echocardiogram, which found “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness,” she said.
Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which valves inside certain veins don’t work the way they should, which can allow some of the blood to pool or collect in the veins. About 150,000 people are diagnosed with it each year, and the risk goes up with age. Symptoms can include swelling in the lower legs or ankles, aching or cramping in the legs, varicose veins, pain, or skin changes. Treatment may involve medication or, in later stages, medical procedures. For individuals seeking expert diagnosis and personalized treatment, consulting a vein doctor near me can be a great first step. Clinics like Metro Vein Centers in Central Phoenix specialize in advanced, minimally invasive vein treatments designed to restore circulation, relieve discomfort, and improve overall leg health
“It’s basically not alarming information, and it’s not surprising,” said Dr. Jeremy Faust, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School.
“This is a pretty normal part of aging, and especially for someone in the overweight to obese category, which is where the president has always been. But the bigger concern … is that symptoms like this do need to be evaluated for more serious conditions, and that is what happened.”
Leavitt later added that the president was experiencing “no discomfort.” She deferred to a forthcoming letter from Barbabella regarding treatment for the condition.
The press secretary also addressed bruising that has appeared on the back of the president’s hand, which she attributed to his “frequent handshaking,” plus his use of aspirin.
“This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen,” Leavitt said, via Barbabella.
Trump will become the nation’s oldest president during his second term.
By CNN
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