President Donald Trump, 79, has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common circulatory condition, following reports of mild swelling in his lower legs, the White House announced on Thursday.
The diagnosis, which sparked widespread discussion on X, was revealed after a comprehensive medical examination prompted by public speculation over recent images showing swollen ankles and bruising on the president’s hand.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, addressing the concerns during a press briefing, read a statement from Trump’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella, stating, Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.
The examination, which included an echocardiogram and extensive lab tests, found no evidence of serious conditions like deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, heart failure, or renal impairment, with all results within normal limits.
Leavitt emphasized that President Trump remains in excellent health.
CVI, affecting about 1 in 20 adults, occurs when leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart, often due to damaged valves, leading to blood pooling and swelling.
Risk factors include advanced age, obesity, and prolonged sitting or standing, with symptoms like leg cramps, varicose veins, or skin changes.
While not life-threatening, untreated CVI can cause discomfort or complications like leg ulcers.
Treatment options, such as compression therapy, leg elevation, or lifestyle changes, were not detailed by the White House.
The announcement also addressed bruising on Trump’s hand, attributed to minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking” and aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention, a common practice.
Leavitt dismissed health concerns, noting, There was no discomfort reported by the president.
The diagnosis follows Trump’s April 2025 physical, which also declared him in excellent health, though recent images from the FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13, 2025, fueled online speculation.
