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News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
Donald Trump Diagnosed With Chronic Venous Insufficiency: How Serious Is It And What's the Treatment?
Last Updated: Donald Trump is battling a vein condition called Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), which commonly affects people over 70. Though not life-threatening, it can be quite painful US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a condition known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). The disease was detected during a routine medical check-up. According to a statement issued by the White House, the 79-year-old was examined after experiencing swelling and injury in his legs. Doctors later confirmed the presence of CVI. Following the announcement, many have been curious to know more about this condition and its effects on the body. What is CVI? As per the Cleveland Clinic, Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a condition where the veins in the legs struggle to send blood back to the heart. Normally, the veins contain small valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. When these valves become weak or damaged, blood can flow backwards and pool in the legs. This leads to increased pressure in the veins, resulting in swelling, pain, and even ulcers. While not life-threatening, CVI can be extremely uncomfortable and may worsen if left untreated. How Did Donald Trump Develop This Condition? Symptoms and Causes of CVI Early signs of CVI include swelling in the legs or ankles, a feeling of heaviness or fatigue, itching or tingling on the skin, and the appearance of varicose veins. In some cases, the skin may darken, thicken, or become leathery. Open sores or ulcers can also develop. If not addressed in time, these symptoms can become painful and persistent. The condition usually develops when vein valves are damaged due to previous blood clots or injuries. Ageing naturally weakens the veins, increasing the risk. Other contributing factors include prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, low physical activity, and a family history of vein disorders. Treatment Although CVI cannot be fully cured, its symptoms can be effectively managed. Lifestyle changes like regular walking, elevating the legs, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce discomfort. Compression stockings are commonly used to improve blood flow. In addition, doctors may prescribe antibiotics, blood thinners, or medicated wraps. In more severe cases, treatments such as sclerotherapy (injections to close off veins), endovenous ablation, or even surgery may be required. Treatment varies depending on the patient's condition and overall health. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What to know about chronic venous insufficiency — President Tump's health diagnosis
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. 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. 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. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
What to know about chronic venous insufficiency — President Tump's health diagnosis
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.' '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. 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.' 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. 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. 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What is chronic venous insufficiency? Everything to know about Trump's diagnosis
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced on Thursday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a letter from Trump's physician in a news conference, which said Trump was examined after he noticed "mild" swelling in his legs. Leavitt said the physician described the condition as "benign" and "common," particularly among adults above age 70. MORE: Gal Gadot reveals she had 'massive blood clot' in brain while pregnant Leavitt added that the president is in "excellent health" and that the doctor's full letter would be released soon. Here's what you need to know about the condition, what symptoms it causes and how it's treated. What is chronic venous insufficiency? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a circulatory condition in which the veins in the leg have difficulty returning blood back to the heart due to damaged valves. "Unlike the arteries, the veins have valves that help return blood to the heart," Dr. Andrea Obi, vascular surgeon at University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center and associate professor of vascular surgery at University of Michigan Medical School, told ABC News. She explained that there are larger veins, called deep veins, which return the bulk of blood to the heart, and there are superficial veins, which are just under the skin surface. "When the valves fail, meaning they don't adequately return blood to the heart, the blood can back up into the leg, and that's essentially what venous insufficiency is," Obi said. This can cause blood to pool in the legs and lead to leg swelling. MORE: Tori Kelly hospitalized: What you need to know about blood clots CVI is fairly common, affecting up to 40% of the U.S. population, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. Obi said this figure may be an underestimation because CVI is not detected on any routine screening test, and patients often require a duplex ultrasound -- a non-invasive imaging technique to assess blood flow and blood vessel structure -- for diagnosis. What are the symptoms? Obi said most CVI patients have mild symptoms and the most common manifestation is varicose veins, which occur when the blood pools into the superficial veins just under the skin. The veins become swollen, which can be heavy, uncomfortable or painful for patients. If patients have CVI in the deeper veins, they may experience leg swelling around the ankle area and it can extend up towards the knee, Obi said. In more severe cases, darkening of the skin can occur and an open sore or ulcer could develop. "When the blood pools down near the ankle level, you'll get discoloration, and it's a brown discoloration … and that brown discoloration is the result of the iron from the red blood cells that sort of pools there and gets picked up by your immune cells," Obi said. Over time, this can make the skin thick and unable to heal from minor trauma, which is when ulcers form, she said. How is it treated? Treatments are typically nonsurgical and are mainly to prevent swelling and ulcers from forming, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. Obi said if a patient is found to have CVI incidentally and they don't have symptoms, there is no need for treatment unless symptoms arise. First-line treatment can include compression, such as wearing compression stockings or an elastic wrap. There are also supplements patients can take to relieve symptoms, Obi said. MORE: Singer Tori Kelly being treated for multiple blood clots after collapsing "Compression is the very first thing that you prescribe and then, generally, if a patient desires surgical intervention or something like that, you would try compression first to see if they get relief," she said. "If they're still symptomatic or not able to live their daily life, then you might proceed down the pathway of doing an intervention to try and help them improve their quality of life." If superficial veins are affected, patients may receive vein ablation, which is a minimally invasive procedure to close the veins off, and removal of the varicose veins. If deep veins are affected, some patients may require an angioplasty to widen the narrow or blocked veins, or stenting to restore blood flow. Obi said even if someone's vein valves are prone to failing due to genetics or aging, walking can help overcome this. "Your calf muscle will substitute for your valves, and your calf muscle will actually push the blood back up to your heart," she said. "We tell all our patients, 'You should do some sort of walking program to keep that calf pump strong. The worst thing you can do is stand on your feet for long periods of time and allow the blood to pool."
WebMD
a day ago
- Health
- WebMD
CVI in the Spotlight: 5 Things Older Adults Should Know
July 18, 2025 – President Donald Trump's recent diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) has sparked renewed interest in the condition – but for millions of Americans, it's already a familiar reality. CVI is a common circulatory issue that affects blood flow from the legs back to the heart, causing blood to pool or collect in the lower legs. Estimates show it impacts about 25 million U.S. adults. Here's what to know about CVI – and how to check your own risk. 1. Mild swelling in the legs can be an early warning sign. Why it matters: Swelling or heaviness in the lower leg and ankle is a common symptom of chronic venous insufficiency, though pain is the most common symptom, according to the American Heart Association. The pain might get worse when you stand or improve when you raise your legs. Other red flags include a dull ache, cramping, tingling, burning, or itching sensation in your legs; varicose veins; or irritated, cracked, discolored, flaky, weepy, or roughened skin. The condition isn't usually life-threatening, but without treatment, the swelling could get worse, leading to ulcers that carry a risk of infection. What you need to know:"Early detection and treatment can make a substantial difference," Joshua A. Beckman, MD, former chair of the American Heart Association's Vascular Health Advisory Committee and Scientific Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease, said in a statement from the American Heart Association. "That is why it is vital for individuals to be aware of the signs and symptoms of CVI so they can seek timely medical evaluation and intervention." Treatments vary, depending on how severe they are. A doctor might start by recommending compression stockings for the swelling, and gentle exercise (walking, water therapy) to improve blood flow. For more advanced stages, damaged veins can be closed using injections, laser treatments, or high-frequency radio wave procedures, and surgery can repair or remove affected veins. 2. CVI is common in older adults. Why it matters: Your risk of chronic venous insufficiency increases as you get older, particularly after age 50. "As people age, the valves in their leg veins, which are responsible for maintaining blood flow towards the heart, can weaken or become damaged," according to the American Heart Association's statement. "This makes it harder for blood to flow back efficiently, allowing backward flow of blood in the veins, leading to blood pooling in the legs and the development of CVI." What you need to know: Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, a history of pregnancy, previous blood clots, or a family history of chronic venous insufficiency. A sedentary lifestyle or prolonged periods of sitting or standing can also raise your risk. 3. Doctors often diagnose CVI using Doppler ultrasound of both legs. Why it matters: Doppler ultrasounds are noninvasive tests that measure sound waves echoing from red blood cells, revealing how blood moves through vessels. During a Doppler ultrasound for chronic venous insufficiency, a doctor places a small device on your skin, covering the affected area, to check how quickly and in what direction the blood flows. What you need to know: This is also how doctors look for signs of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. Deep vein thrombosis is a potentially deadly blood clot that starts in the deep veins of the legs and can spread to the lungs. Peripheral artery disease is a common condition, often found in people with diabetes or high cholesterol, that restricts blood flow in the lower legs. While chronic venous insufficiency affects the blood flow from your legs to your heart, peripheral artery disease affects the vessels traveling the other way – carrying blood from your heart to your legs. 4. Blood tests and an echocardiogram can help rule out heart failure, kidney issues, or systemic illness. Why it matters: These blood tests – which included a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, coagulation profile, D-dimer, B-type natriuretic peptide, and cardiac biomarkers – and imaging tests are commonly used to check for signs of blood clots, heart problems, and kidney problems. What you need to know: Chronic venous insufficiency is linked to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and diseases of the heart and blood vessels, which might be partially explained by shared risk factors. Heart health and kidney health are closely related. 5. The diagnosis was shared following public questions about leg swelling and hand bruising. Why it matters: Trump's doctor said the bruises on his hands are a side effect of aspirin, which he takes to help prevent diseases in his heart and blood vessels. What you need to know: Aspirin thins the blood, increasing the risk of bruising. Because aspirin is a blood thinner and inhibits blood clots, some people, especially those at a heightened risk of heart disease, take it to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But this treatment also comes with the risk of another, potentially more dangerous side effect: bleeding in your gut. Before trying aspirin, or any new medication, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits based on your health history and risk factors.
