President Donald Trump was diagnosed with a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, a fairly common health condition among older adults, the White House has confirmed.
A memorandum released by the White House on July 17 confirmed the diagnosis, noting that Trump had reported “mild swelling in his lower legs,” which was later evaluated by the White House Medical Unit.
Also on July 17, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the condition is “benign and common” and occurs often in “individuals over the age of 70.” Trump turned 79 in June.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Is Common
Chronic venous insufficiency, sometimes called CVI, takes place when an individual’s leg veins become damaged, which then restricts circulation and causes blood to pool in the legs, the Cleveland Clinic stated on its website.
“Normally, valves in your leg veins keep blood flowing back up to your heart,” the clinic stated. “But CVI damages those valves, causing blood to pool in your legs. This increases pressure in your leg veins and causes symptoms like swelling and ulcers.”
The condition affects about one in 20 adults, the clinic states, adding that the risk goes up as a person gets older.
CVI is not the same as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which is a more serious condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the deep vein, usually occurring in the leg.
After Leavitt’s briefing, the White House released a letter from Sean Barbabella, a U.S. Navy officer who is Trump’s physician. The letter said there was no evidence that Trump had contracted deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.
Symptoms and Signs
Common symptoms include swelling, usually around the feet and ankles; achiness; a heavy feeling; tingling in the legs; and varicose veins. Other symptoms and signs include reddish-brown discolored skin, leathery-looking skin on the legs, and flaking or itching skin on the legs.
But severe cases can trigger leg sores known as ulcers, according to the clinic.
“Without treatment, CVI raises the pressure in your leg veins so much that your tiniest blood vessels (capillaries) burst. When this happens, the skin in that area takes on a reddish-brown color and can easily break open if bumped or scratched,” the clinic webpage reads.
When the vessels burst, it can cause inflammation in the area, tissue damage, and leg ulcers.
“Venous stasis ulcers don’t heal easily, and they can become infected. The infection could spread to nearby tissue. This condition is known as cellulitis, which is dangerous if not treated right away,” the webpage reads.
Causes of the Condition
According to a Johns Hopkins University webpage, CVI is more likely to be diagnosed in individuals who are overweight, have a family history of the health condition, have suffered some type of leg injury, have had surgery on the leg, or have had prior blood clots.
Other causes can include smoking, a lack of exercise, or high blood pressure within the legs due to sitting or standing for long periods, according to Johns Hopkins.
Treatment Options
Health officials say that treatment includes increasing blood circulation in the legs, including raising the legs to reduce swelling, wearing compression socks or stockings, and regular exercise. Some medicines are also used, such as those that increase blood circulation, while aspirin is used for leg ulcers, according to Johns Hopkins.
In some severe cases, surgery can be performed on impacted veins.
“The affected vein is tied off so that blood no longer flows through it. If the vein or its valves are heavily damaged, the vein will be removed. This is called vein stripping,” the Johns Hopkins webpage reads.
Other treatments include sclerotherapy, whereby a chemical is injected into the affected veins, as well as endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation, officials say.
More Details on Trump’s Health
Leavitt also responded to speculation and reports about a bruise that was visible on Trump’s right hand in recent days. She said that it was caused by irritation due to “frequent handshaking” as well as his taking aspirin on a regular basis.
Some older adults take daily aspirin to offset cardiovascular issues such as a heart attack or stroke, although some health groups started advising against the practice roughly five years ago. Leavitt said that the aspirin use is part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Leavitt denied any suggestions that Trump’s health may be deteriorating.
“The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” she told reporters.
“No signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified.”
Leavitt also told reporters that Trump was not experiencing discomfort due to the condition.
Reuters contributed to this report.