Doctors of the White House diagnosed President Donald Trump with chronic venous insufficiency after noticing swelling in his legs, the White House announced on Thursday.
The white house press secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists that Trump, 79, had recently suffered tests to examine swelling, which included diagnostic vascular studies and an ultrasound of her legs, revealing the venous condition.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins of the legs find it difficult to allow the blood to go up towards the heart, often following valves damaged in the veins. The condition affects approximately 1 out of 20 adults.
Leavitt provided the update of health in the middle of online speculation on the swelling visible around Trump’s ankles and bruises on his hands, the latter, which she said, was attributable to her “frequent tips and the use of aspirin”.
Although chronic venous insufficiency does not put life in danger, according to the Cleveland Clinic, it can lead to serious complications if it is not treated, including leg ulcers, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis and secondary lymphedema. There is no cure for the disease, but compression therapy and exercise can help manage symptoms.
Leavitt said the tests found no evidence of deep venous thrombosis or arterial disease and an echocardiogram showed normal heart structure and function. She also said that all test results were “within normal limits” and that an echocardiogram showed “a normal cardiac structure and function”.
“The president remains in excellent health,” said Leavitt, noting that the White House will release a note from his doctor.
She added that Trump feels no discomfort of the conditions.
Trump suffered his annual physique at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in April. A report by his doctor revealed that the president was “in excellent health” at the time, according to the White House.
