insufficiency

Earlier this week, President Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, after he noted mild swelling in his lower legs. White House physician Dr. Sean P. Barbabella in a memo July 17 said the swelling prompted a full medical evaluation, including ultrasound tests and blood work. Those confirmed CVI, a condition the doctor described as “benign and common — particularly in individuals over the age of 70.” Dr. Barbabella said he found no other signs of more serious cardiovascular issues like blood clots and declared the president to be in “excellent health.”

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

“CVI is when the veins of the body do not work well,” said Dr. Mimmie Kwong, assistant professor of vascular surgery at UC Davis Health, when veins cannot transport blood effectively, causing it to pool, especially in the legs.

CVI is one of the most common vein problems in the U.S. and worldwide, affecting “about one in three adults in the United States,” Kwong said.

That translates to more than 30 million people in the U.S., most often older adults, according to Dr. Ali Azizzadeh, a professor and director of Vascular Surgery at Cedars-Sinai and associate director of the Smidt Heart Institute. He noted the condition is more common in women.

As people age, the veins, such as in their legs, may have a harder time returning blood to the heart, he said.

What causes CVI?

The valves in the veins of the legs are supposed to keep blood moving in one direction: back toward the heart. But when those valves are damaged or weakened, they can stop working properly, leading blood to flow backward and collect in the lower legs.

Individuals who stand or sit for extended periods, or those with a family history of vein issues, may be at a higher risk of developing the condition.

“When the calf muscles are active, they pump the veins that return blood from the legs to the heart,” Azizzadeh explained. “With prolonged inactivity of those muscles, blood can pool in the legs.”

What does CVI feel like?

While CVI isn’t always painful, it can cause discomfort that worsens as the day goes on.

The mornings may feel the best: “The legs naturally drain while you are lying down and sleeping overnight,” said Azizzadeh, “so they will typically feel lightest in the morning.”

As the day progresses and blood starts to pool, people with CVI may experience swelling, heaviness, aching or a dull pain in their legs. The symptoms tend to worsen after prolonged periods of standing or sitting.

If swelling worsens, thickening, inflammation or dry skin can result, with more severe cases developing wounds that do not heal and can even result in amputation, Kwong said.

FILE – President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves the White House, July 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

(Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

How is CVI treated?

Ttreatment is more manageable when problematic veins are closer to the surface of the skin, Kwong said. It’s more problematic when deep veins are affected.

The first line of treatment is usually simple lifestyle changes. “We suggest CEE: compression, elevation, and exercise,” Azizzadeh said. Wearing compression stockings can help push blood out of the legs; elevating the legs allows gravity to help drain blood from the legs toward the heart, and regular walking forces calf muscles to pump blood throughout the body.

For people with more serious cases, doctors may recommend a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to seal off the leaky veins. Common treatments include ablation techniques, surgical removal of veins (phlebectomy), or chemical (sclerosant) injections. “All of these therapies aim to cause the veins to shut down, so they no longer cause the CVI,” Kwong said.

FILE – President Donald Trump, left, reaches to shake hands with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa speak upon his arrival at the White House, July 16, 2025, in Washington.

(Alex Brandon/AP)

In President Trump’s case, the condition appears to be mild and manageable. His doctors emphasized there was no cause for concern and that he remains in good overall health. But for millions of Americans living with CVI, recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to manage them can make a big difference in day-to-day comfort and long-term well-being.

United States President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) after undergoing evaluation for lower leg swelling and hand bruising, the White House has announced.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that the diagnosis was made after the president experienced mild discomfort in his legs over several weeks.

In a publicly released letter, President Trump’s physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, confirmed there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. All of Trump’s lab results were within normal limits.

“An echocardiogram was also performed, and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function,” the letter added.

But what is chronic venous insufficiency, and how risky is it? Here is what we know:

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

CVI is a type of vein disorder that develops when the veins in the legs become damaged, Cleveland Clinic explains. Veins have valves that help blood move up towards the heart. When these valves are damaged, they don’t close properly, and blood can flow backwards. This is called venous reflux.

This can lead to blood pooling in the lower legs. Along with swelling – most often around the feet and ankles – symptoms may include aching legs, a heavy or tingling sensation, and the appearance of varicose veins.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the disease affects about one in three adults, while CVI affects people over age 50. The risk rises with age.

What are other common symptoms?

According to the American Heart Association, some symptoms include leg swelling, as the president has experienced, but also skin irritation.

The skin issues typically show up as red, itchy or flaky patches on the lower legs, caused by poor blood flow and sometimes leading to ulcers.

Additional symptoms may include pain, itching, bleeding, a heavy or tired feeling in the legs, cramping, throbbing and restlessness.

Trump also had bruising on his hand, according to the White House. Dr Barbabella attributed that to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regime”, the White House release stated.

How serious is CVI?

The condition is generally mild but can worsen over time.

“Chronic Venous Insufficiency can significantly impact your quality of life, but early detection and treatment can make a substantial difference,” the chair of the American Heart Association’s Vascular Health Advisory Committee and Scientific Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease, Joshua A Beckman, said.

While the condition itself is usually not serious, it can be associated with more dangerous complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein) or pulmonary embolism (a clot that blocks blood flow to the lungs).

Dr Barbabella, the president’s physician, described Trump’s case as “a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over 70”. He confirmed that Trump, 79, showed no signs of those more serious complications.

What is the treatment for CVI?

Doctors typically begin treatment with compression therapy, which helps reduce leg swelling and discomfort. Compression stockings are often prescribed and may be worn long-term, as they support vein function by promoting blood flow back to the heart.

In addition, doctors may recommend weight loss or resistance exercises to improve circulation.

If symptoms – such as leg pain, skin sores or thickened, hardened skin – persist, more invasive treatments may be necessary. These include thermal therapies like laser treatment, which seal off damaged veins, and sclerotherapy, whereby a chemical is injected to collapse affected veins. After treatment, the body naturally redirects blood flow through healthier veins.

White House says Trump’s exam revealed a ‘benign and common condition’, no serious underlying issues found.

United States President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with “chronic venous insufficiency” after he was examined for leg swelling and bruising on his hands, according to the White House.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called the malady a “benign and common condition” in which damaged veins prevent blood from flowing properly.

Reading a letter from Trump’s physician, Leavitt added that the condition has higher rates “in individuals over the age of 70”.

The 79-year-old Trump is the oldest person in US history to assume the presidency and made questions over former President Joe Biden’s age a defining issue in the 2024 election.

Biden, who is three years Trump’s senior, later dropped out of the race amid pressure from his own party, handing the Democratic candidacy to former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump months later. Nevertheless, the president has continued to attack Biden’s age and mental fitness.

On Thursday, Leavitt said there was “no evidence” of more serious issues like “deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease”.

She said all Trump’s test results “were within normal limits” and he had “normal cardiac structure and function, no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness”.

The spokesperson also fielded questions over bruises on Trump’s hand, which had stoked online speculation over his health.

Leavitt said the bruises were “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”.

While not legally required, it has become common practice for US presidents to release annual physicals and details of their health.

During his 2015 campaign, Trump’s personal doctor, Harold Bornstein, released a letter saying he could “state unequivocally” that Trump “will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency”.

Bornstein later told CNN Trump had dictated the hyperbole-laced note.