Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition commonly seen in older adults, following concerns over mild swelling in his legs, according to a statement released Thursday by the White House.
Trump, 79, underwent a comprehensive medical examination, which included advanced vascular imaging tests, performed by the White House Medical Unit. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered the news during a press briefing, citing a formal note from the president’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella.
“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,” Leavitt read from Barbabella’s letter.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a circulatory disorder in which vein valves fail to properly return blood from the legs to the heart, resulting in blood pooling, particularly in the lower extremities. The condition affects approximately 150,000 Americans each year, especially those over 70 or with risk factors such as obesity or sedentary lifestyles.
According to the White House, Trump’s physical evaluation showed no signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease—two serious complications often screened for in such cases. Lab results were reported to be “within normal limits,” and an echocardiogram ruled out heart failure, kidney impairment, or any systemic illness.
“It’s basically not alarming information, and it’s not surprising,” said Dr. Jeremy Faust, 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.”
While chronic venous insufficiency can present with leg cramps, varicose veins, and skin changes, Leavitt assured reporters that Trump is currently experiencing no discomfort. She noted that a full letter detailing Trump’s treatment plan will be released soon by Capt. Barbabella.
In addition to addressing the leg swelling, Leavitt commented on the visible bruising on the back of Trump’s hand, which has sparked public speculation. According to Barbabella’s note, this was due to a combination of “frequent handshaking” and Trump’s use of aspirin, commonly prescribed as part of a cardiovascular disease prevention regimen.
“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, quoting Barbabella.
Trump, who is campaigning for a second term, is set to become the oldest sitting president in U.S. history if re-elected.