After noticeable swelling in his legs, President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency—a condition where veins in the legs struggle to return blood to the heart because of compromised valves—although medical professionals insist he is still in “excellent” health, the White House said Thursday.
What did Trump’s secretary say about his health ?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared during a press briefing that a “comprehensive medical evaluation” was conducted on the 79-year-old Trump after recent photos showed swelling around his ankles and a mark on his hand. The ankle swelling is related to the condition, which is common, especially among people over 70, where malfunctioning valves in leg veins cause blood to pool.it is a “common condition” among older folks, Leavitt stressed.
There were “no signs of heart failure, kidney dysfunction, or any systemic illness,” according to a memo from White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella, and “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease.”“President Trump is in excellent health,” Dr. Barbabella wrote.
Leavitt added that Trump hasn’t experienced “any discomfort” related to the swelling, and that he underwent testing “out of an abundance of caution” once the lower-leg swelling was noticed. His evaluation included vascular studies, an echocardiogram, and an ultrasound. Blood tests also came back within “normal limits,” she said.
The mark on his hand, Leavitt explained, appeared to be “consistent with minor soft tissue inflammation from repeated hand movement” and was “a well-known, mild side effect of aspirin therapy”Trump is taking standard cardiovascular preventative medication, she said.
Honored to be the oldest president
Trump surpassed his predecessor Joe Biden in age back in January, making him the oldest candidate to compete for the presidency of the United States.During the 2024 election, Trump repeatedly criticized the now-82-year-old Biden over his age and stamina. However, following a disastrous debate performance that raised questions about his own physical and cognitive fitness, the former president ultimately withdrew from the race.
Photos showing Trump’s swollen ankles and marked hands have since sparked fresh speculation about his health. In photos taken late last week at the FIFA Club World Cup, Trump’s ankles appeared swollen through his socks. Then on Tuesday, while departing the White House for a trip to Pennsylvania, journalists noticed marks on his hand seemingly covered with makeup-like mater.
