Health authorities say the condition is common among older adults.
President Donald Trump was diagnosed with a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, a fairly common health condition among older adults, the White House has confirmed.
A memorandum released by the White House on Thursday confirmed the diagnosis, noting that Trump had reported “mild swelling in his lower legs,” which was later evaluated by the White House Medical Unit.
Also Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the condition is “benign and common” and occurs often in “individuals over the age of 70.” Trump turned 79 in June.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Is Common
Chronic venous insufficiency, sometimes called CVI, takes place when an individual’s leg veins become damaged, which then restricts circulation and causes blood to pool up in the legs, the Cleveland Clinic says on its website about the health condition.
“Normally, valves in your leg veins keep blood flowing back up to your heart,” says the Clinic. “But CVI damages those valves, causing blood to pool in your legs. This increases pressure in your leg veins and causes symptoms like swelling and ulcers.”
The condition affects about one in 20 adults, the clinic says, adding that the risk goes up as a person gets older.
CVI is not the same as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which is a more serious condition where a blood clot forms in the deep vein, usually occurring in the leg.
After Leavitt’s briefing, the White House released the letter from a U.S. Navy officer who is Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella. The letter said there was no evidence that Trump had contracted deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.
Symptoms and Signs
Common symptoms include swelling usually around the feet and ankles, as well as symptoms such as legs that feel achy, a heavy feeling or tingling, and varicose veins. Other symptoms and signs include reddish-brown discolored skin, leathery-looking skin on the legs, and flaking or itching skin on the legs.
But severe cases could trigger leg sores known as ulcers, the Clinic says.
