Trump's chronic venous insufficiency mirrors trend in SA, says doctor
Dr Vinesh Padayachy said the condition, where blood struggles to flow back from the legs to the heart is frequently seen in South African men and women over the age of 70.
'This isn't unique to Trump. We see hundreds of patients a year with the same issue here at home. It's a progressive condition linked to ageing, sedentary lifestyle, weight gain and even genetics. In South Africa, with rising rates of obesity and diabetes, we're seeing more cases, and sometimes at younger ages.'
The White House on Thursday announced Trump underwent medical testing after he had been seen with deep bruises on his hand and swollen legs.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
'The president underwent a comprehensive examination including diagnostic vascular studies, bilateral lower extremity intravenous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,' said Leavitt. Doctors ruled out any major concerns such as blood clots or cardiac issues, confirming only venous insufficiency.
Padayachy said that was an important distinction.
'The real concern would've been if it was deep vein thrombosis or signs of heart failure. But in this case, the diagnosis is straightforward and treatable.'
Symptoms often include swelling, heaviness, fatigue in the legs and, in some cases, visible varicose veins or skin darkening.
'In South Africa, especially in the public sector, many patients ignore the early signs because it seems minor until ulcers or infections develop. By then, treatment becomes more complex,' he said.
Padayachy said while photos of swelling may alarm the public, the condition does not indicate failing health.
'At Trump's age, this is expected. It doesn't suggest he's unfit or unwell. If anything, it's a wake-up call for many South Africans to take leg health seriously especially if they sit or stand for long hours without movement.'
He noted that truck drivers, teachers, factory workers and office staff are often at risk.
Treatment involves compression stockings, elevating the legs, light daily movement and avoiding long periods of sitting or standing.
'Treatment also includes minimally invasive procedures to seal off the vein that is not working. These procedures can be done in a vascular surgeons' rooms as a walk-in, walk-out procedure,' added Padayachy.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

TimesLIVE
16 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Here's how you can tally up the sugar in your favourite food and drinks
Whether you are pursuing better dietary choices for weight loss or struggling with serious conditions like diabetes, sugar intake can become a dominant concern regarding what you have in your fridge and pantry. A recent study by Wits University found that South Africans consume more than the required amount of sugar, which is estimated at 12 to 24 teaspoons daily, though the World Health Organization suggests a daily limit of six teaspoons. Laager Rooibos partner dietitian Mbali Mapholi says hidden sugars are often 'sneaky' and can add up quickly throughout the day. She adds that certain snacks and drinks 'aren't noticeably sweet' but still contain worrying amounts of sugar, which can significantly impact one's health over time. According to Mapholi, natural sugars come in the form of lactose, fructose and sucrose, which originate in fruit, vegetables, dairy and grain foods. In contrast, hidden sugars are added to foods or drinks during processing. These sugars come in many different forms from cane sugar, agave nectar, honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, honey and fruit juice concentrates.


The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Zishan finds life-saving stem cell donor
When nine-year-old Zishan Reddy was diagnosed with leukaemia for the second time and needed a bone marrow transplant, his mother Goolshun, family friends, and the Ashton International College community sprang into action in the hopes of finding a donor. Goolshun issued a heartfelt plea for potential donors to register with the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), while Ashton hosted a stem cell donor drive on May 30. In a show of solidarity, teacher Robyn Daniel also dedicated her June 8 Comrades Marathon run to Zishan's fight. While Goolshun says she is 'eternally grateful for the support from South Africans', she never imagined that her son's match would come from nearly 7 300km away, in India. 'When Dr Kate Bennett shared the news with Zishan, he just threw his hands up in the air and said, 'Yes, yes, yes!' I could just see the excitement in his face,' said Goolshun. 'But with all the excitement also comes some anxiety. We are just taking it day by day,' she added. ALSO READ: Robyn achieves Comrades PB for little leukemia sufferer 'All we know is that the donor is from India, and we are eternally grateful to them for giving so selflessly and being willing to save another life. We are relieved it's a great match for my little warrior, Zishan. 'We continue to pray the transplant will be an easy and painless journey for him. We trust his strength, courage and fighting spirit will carry him through.' She extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported them during this journey: 'We are eternally grateful for all the love and support and hope you will continue to help others still waiting for a transplant. Thank you, and God bless, from my family to yours.' She had special words for her daughter: 'To my daughter Thuraya, thank you for being the best big sister. You are such a strong, beautiful girl, and I am super proud of you. We love you very much.' She also praised Robyn Daniel for her dedication and continued support: 'A very special thank you to Robyn for her love and support of our family. It is so heart-warming and means so much to us. She has continued to keep in touch with Zishan's treatment through regular messages. She has a heart full of love and care.' Zishan recently spent five days at Netcare Unitas Hospital receiving radiation and has since been transferred to the Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre, where the next phase of his transplant will begin. ALSO READ: It would mean the world to Zishan if he gets a stem cell donor


Daily Maverick
14 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
New Brighton's chess mentor to children proves anything's possible ‘with the right moves'
Mike Pantsi's chess initiative at Indlela Mental Health in New Brighton, Gqeberha, is transforming young lives. In the golden light of a quiet afternoon in Gqeberha's New Brighton township, a cluster of wooden chess sets occupies a sunlit corner in a tiny container classroom. Mike Pantsi, a man often described as a community renaissance figure, presides over the small board with quiet authority. Around him, youngsters with intellectual disabilities lean forward, deep in thought – or delight. Pantsi wears too many hats to fit neatly into any box. Years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, the loss of his only child, he made a solemn vow to continue nurturing his community's children as if they were his own. 'They are mine too,' he says simply. It was this heartfelt resolve that led him to Indlela Mental Health, a nonprofit organisation in Gqeberha, after weeks of research. This landmark organisation was established in 1939 to serve those with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, and not discriminating against any person. Indlela provides inclusive, community‑based services ranging from social inclusion awareness campaigns and therapeutic support through its Ilizwi initiative, to residential psychosocial rehabilitation through the Siyaphambili initiative. Youth skills development takes place through its Masakhane initiative. Pantsi has partnered with the organisation by offering his chess lessons as an extracurricular class to pupils at Indlela. Each week he plays chess with a group of pupils while others continue their agricultural and woodworking activities. What started as Pantsi's dream of bringing an outdoor chess programme to young people has blossomed into a quiet revolution. 'I had never worked with learners with disabilities, but their bright minds were calling me,' he says. What he found exceeded every expectation: growing skill at the game, impressive focus and, most importantly, bold confidence. In the South African context especially, vulnerable young black children need confidence. 'That's why chess has black and white pieces, promoting social cohesion and social inclusion, because only when these pieces move together strategically can life move easily,' Pantsi says. Sport unifies people, especially those who once were segregated. But it is important, Pantsi stresses, that everyone understands the rules of the game. Sanchia Matthysen, who runs Indlela Mental Health and supplies the chess boards, applauds Pantsi's initiative. 'Chess places each player on level ground. It promotes inclusivity. Despite learning disabilities the learners are fully part of the game – and part of the community.' She says it gives the children confidence to think through their moves, recognising that each choice has both consequences and the potential to change the trajectory of the whole game. 'You don't need riches to play,' she adds. 'A board can be homemade. And because many children are sensitive to noise, chess also helps them to relax and focus – and get off their phones.' Pupil reflections Bukho Bongela (19) admits he first joined the programme for the food. 'But after a few lessons I realised chess is like life: every move must be balanced and considered with the end in mind.' Amahle Nzwaku (19), the group's only young woman, describes the pieces as family: mother, father, children, spiritual guide. 'Children, like pawns, often find themselves in the firing line. But you can still make moves that protect and preserve hope.' Pantsi adds that some pawns are able to transcend a barrier. 'Just like how some children are born from poor households but end up achieving great success, anything is possible with the right moves.' Another important life lesson Pantsi is adamant the pupils must be taught, especially the young men, is the protection of women. 'In chess, a queen is protected, and that is something they need to grasp, especially because they are easily exposed to gender-based violence. They need to know that it is wrong and that a woman is a queen – no harm must come her way.' Khazimla Vusani (19), whose experience of chess started with playing on a phone app, was sceptical about switching to a physical board. 'But I was wrong, the real thing is better. No distractions, no pop‑ups, just clear thinking.' Lusindiso Makapela (17) and Anelisa Mnguni (16), speaking with the consent of their parents, say they wish that every young person could experience chess: the joy, power and freedom it brings. Pantsi's chess initiative demonstrates how small acts rooted in compassion can ripple out into lasting transformation. In the little classroom, and sometimes in the shade of a tree, with pieces clicked into place and laughter mingling with concentration, there is more than a game being played – it's a quiet rebuilding of hope, skill and community. And Indlela's mission to unlock potential through inclusive, rights‑based mental health services and skills development finds fertile ground in the chessboard's criss‑cross pattern of possibilities. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.