President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency following recent concerns over visible bruising on his hand and swelling in his legs, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday.
Leavitt said the president reported “mild swelling in his lower legs,” prompting a medical evaluation by the White House team. Following a comprehensive vascular assessment, including bilateral lower extremity intravenous Doppler ultrasounds, Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency—a common condition in older adults in which veins have difficulty returning blood from the legs to the heart, causing pooling and swelling.
“This is a benign and very common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” Leavitt explained during Thursday’s press briefing. “There is no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, and an echocardiogram confirmed normal cardiac structure and function. All test results were within normal limits.”
Chronic venous insufficiency is typically not considered serious and is treatable. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more pronounced swelling and fatigue in the legs. Common treatments include medications to improve circulation, leg elevation, compression therapy, or minimally invasive procedures. Surgery may be required in more advanced cases.
Photos circulated earlier this week showing bruising on the back of Trump’s hand also sparked speculation. Leavitt addressed the images, attributing the marks to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the routine use of aspirin.”
“The president remains in excellent health,” she said, emphasizing that he has experienced no discomfort from the condition. “He feels no pain, and as you all can see, he continues to work around the clock.”
Leavitt added that a full letter from the president’s physician detailing the diagnosis and treatment plan would be released soon.
Trump previously underwent his annual physical in April at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. That exam, conducted by Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, concluded that the president was in “excellent health” at the time.
