Latest news with #chronic venous insufficiency
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
What is Trump's vein condition and how serious is it?
On Thursday, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump has a medical condition in his veins called chronic venous a regular news briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump, 79, had noticed swelling in his legs, prompting a check-up with his doctor who diagnosed him with the had also been recently photographed with patches of make-up on the back of his hand. The White House has said it is unrelated to the vein condition, but is instead bruising as a result of frequent are the some of the key things to know about the US president's diagnosis. What is chronic venous insufficiency? Trump's condition is "benign and common", particularly in individuals over the age of 70, according to a note from White House physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, released to venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins don't allow blood to flow back up to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower blood flow from the legs back up to the heart moves against gravity, which in older people can become a difficult can be due to weakening valves in veins, something that can occur as people age. What are the symptoms? When blood pools in the legs due to chronic venous insufficiency, it can cause swelling like the kind seen in Trump's ankles in recent photographs."It can be associated with serious conditions, but in and of itself it is not a serious condition, and one that is very common," Dr Matthew Edwards, chair of the Department of Vascular Surgery at Wake Forest University, told the BBC."People in his age (group), I would say probably somewhere between 10 and 35% of people would have this."Experts say other risks include being overweight, having a history of blood clots, and having jobs that require patients to be on their feet for long durations. What did Trump's doctor say? After noticing swelling in his legs, President Trump was evaluated by the White House Medical Unit "out of an abundance of caution," a statement from Trump's doctor, Dr Sean Barbabella, Barbabella wrote that President Trump underwent a "comprehensive examination" which revealed chronic venous insufficiency, which he says is a "benign and common condition"."Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease," he also showed "normal cardiac structure and function," Dr Barbabella said, adding: "No signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified."Dr Barbabella also noted bruising on the back of Trump's hand, which has been noticed in recent photographs, sometimes covered by make-up. "This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen," he memo concluded by saying President Trump "remains in excellent health". How could the condition affect Trump? The US-based Society for Vascular Surgery said the condition can cause heaviness in the affected limb, as well as swelling and some cases, chronic venous insufficiency can also cause painful cramps, spasms and leg custom-made, medical-grade compression stockings can help manage the condition, and experts also recommend patients elevating their legs at night and using lotion. What has Trump said about his health? In April, Trump underwent his first annual physical of his second presidential term."President Trump remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function," Dr Barbabella said in a memo at the health assessment revealed that the president takes several medications to control his cholesterol - Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe, as well as Aspirin for cardiac prevention and Mometasone cream for a skin US president has regularly touted his good health and once described himself as "the healthiest president that's ever lived".After his first annual physical, Trump told reporters that "overall, I felt I was in very good shape", and added that he thought he had "a good heart, a good soul, a very good soul".
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
From swollen ankles to leg cramps and flaky skin – the 10 signs of Donald Trump's painful diagnosis revealed
DONALD Trump has been diagnosed with a painful vein condition after photos showed the president with swollen ankles and bruised hands. The president, 79, was given a thorough examination by White House medics, which revealed he had chronic venous insufficiency. 4 4 4 The common condition occurs when leg veins become damaged over time and can't work as they should, causing blood to pool in the legs. This increases pressure in the leg veins, leading to symptoms like ankle swelling, leg cramps, ulcers and flaky skin. Recent images of Trump at a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 football match on July 13 prompted a surge of speculation about his health. A seated picture of the president where his trousers had ridden up revealed swelling in his ankles. Bruising was also spotted on Trump's right hand, which appeared to have been covered up with makeup. Speaking to reporters, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said had Trump noticed "minor swelling in his lower legs" in recent weeks. Chronic venous insufficiency affects about one in 20 adults, and the risk increases with age, according to Cleveland Clinic. Leavitt described it as a 'benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70". The press secretary said Trump's medical examination had revealed no other serious health issues. 'Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease," Leavitt said. Facts on peripheral artery disease "An echocardiogram was also performed and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function, no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified additionally.' Leavitt added that Trump was not in any pain from the condition. She also sought to downplay the bruising on the president's hands, saying they were caused by irritation from 'frequent handshaking,' coupled with his aspirin regimen. Chronic venous insufficiency happens due to damage to in the leg veins, slowing down blood flow from the legs back up to the heart. 4 The condition can cause mild symptoms at first but, over time, it can interfere with your quality of life and lead to serious complications, according to Cleveland Clinic. Without treatment, it can increase pressure in the legs, causing tiny blood vessels in the leg to burst. This can give skin in the legs a reddish-brown hue and also make it more vulnerable to injury is bumped or scratched. Here are 10 telltale symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency to know. Achy or tired legs Burning, tingling or 'pins and needles' sensation in your legs Cramping in your legs at night Discoloured skin that looks reddish-brown Oedema (swelling) in your lower legs and ankles, especially after standing a while or at the end of the day Flaking or itching skin on your legs or feet Full or heavy feeling legs Leathery-looking skin on your legs Ulcers (open sores), usually near your ankles Varicose veins Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that become visible under the skin, usually in the legs. They happen when the valves that control the flow of blood in your vein do not work properly. This causes blood to build up and put pressure on the vein, which makes it swell and twist. How is chronic venous insufficiency treated? Being overweight, having a family history of chronic venous insufficiency or suffering blood clots or injuries to your legs can up your risk of the condition. Having high blood pressure, smoking and not exercising enough can also be risk factors. Lifestyle tweaks can help with managing chronic venous insufficiency. This can include taking up walking or other forms of exercise to improve blood flow in your legs. It's recommended that you don't sit or stand for too long, so getting up and moving as often as you can can be helpful. Foot and ankle flexing exercises may also help. Elevating your legs for up to 30 minutes can ease swelling and discomfort in your legs, as can things like compression stockings. You may also be prescribed medication to improve blood flow. You may find you develop poor circulation as you get older. It is also linked to having a heart or circulatory disease, or a risk factor for them like high blood pressure or obesity. This is because these conditions affect your blood vessels, making them narrower and stiffer. This in turn makes it more difficult for blood to flow through them, especially to body parts a long way from the heart like your hands, legs and feet. They include: Atherosclerosis - caused by a build-up of fatty plaques in your artery walls, causing them to harden and narrow until blood cannot pass properly from your heart to the rest of your body. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - caused by a build-up of plaques on the walls of your arteries, and usually happens in your legs and feet High blood pressure - this can damage the walls of the arteries, as well as putting strain on the walls increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and PAD. Heart failure - this is when your heart cannot pump blood around the body as well as it should. Diabetes - high sugar levels in your blood can damage your blood vessels over time, which in turn causes the build-up of fatty plaques that narrows the blood vessels. Obesity - excess weight can increase your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, which can lead to poor circulation. Raynaud's disease - this is a common condition where blood stops flowing properly to your fingers and toes due to stress or cold temperatures. Source: BHF
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Doctors react to alleged Trump health concerns as photos show swelling and bruising
After photos circulated recently of President Donald Trump's apparently swollen legs and bruised hand, doctors are speaking about potential causes and concerns. In an "effort of transparency" on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a note from Trump's physician after he underwent a "comprehensive examination" by the White House Medical Unit. During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that Trump's swollen legs were part of a "benign and common condition" called "chronic venous insufficiency" that can affect older individuals. (The president is 79.) "Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease," she said. Leavitt attributed the bruising on the president's hand to "frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin." "This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen," she said. "This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy, and the president remains in excellent health." Scott A. Sundick, M.D., a vascular and endovascular surgeon at The Cardiovascular Care Group in Westfield, New Jersey, commented on the concerns that have been raised. (He has not treated the president.) "Leg swelling is a common condition, particularly among older adults. As a practicing vascular surgeon, I see patients for this issue more frequently than almost any other complaint," he told Fox News Digital. "The president remains in excellent health." While leg swelling is often benign, it can sometimes be a symptom of serious, potentially life-threatening conditions, such as acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), congestive heart failure (CHF) or renal failure, according to the doctor. "In the president's case, these more concerning causes were appropriately ruled out through a combination of diagnostic testing, including a venous Doppler ultrasound, echocardiogram and laboratory evaluations respectively," he added. Sundick also spoke about the president's diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, which he described as a "relatively common and benign condition." "Under normal circumstances, blood returns to the heart from the legs through the veins, aided by the contraction of leg muscles with each step we take," he said. "These contractions help push blood upward, and valves within the veins prevent it from flowing backward toward the feet. When these valves become weakened or incompetent, blood can pool in the lower legs — a condition known as venous insufficiency." This condition can cause symptoms such as leg swelling or varicose veins, the doctor noted. Treatment usually includes the use of compression stockings or, in some cases, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure called venous ablation. Regarding the bruising being attributed to aspirin therapy, Sundick noted that many older adults take daily low-dose aspirin as part of a cardiovascular disease prevention strategy. "Aspirin works by inhibiting platelet function, reducing the risk of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks or strokes," he said. "A well-known side effect of aspirin therapy is an increased tendency to bruise easily, even with minor trauma." Sundick said this is "common and generally not concerning," particularly considering aspirin's "well-established cardiovascular benefits." Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News' senior medical analyst, also commented on the bruising seen on Trump's hand. "As you age, your skin can become more friable (fragile), less elastic and more prone to easy bruising," Siegel, who has not treated the president, told Fox News Digital. "I don't think there's anything hidden there at all." "Aspirin interferes with platelet function, making this more likely." On a Thursday episode of "America Reports," Siegel noted that he found the medical update "reassuring," calling Trump's condition "not serious, completely benign and cosmetic." "It's expected for a man who's in his late 70s and standing on his feet all the time," Siegel added, noting that compression stockings and elevating the legs could help to reduce swelling and any potential discomfort. For more Health articles, visit The doctor also said he "accepts the explanation" that Trump's hand bruising is caused by "vigorous handshaking." "I don't think there's anything hidden there at all," Siegel said.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Cardiologist reacts to Trump's diagnosis
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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
3 things to know about Trump's vein condition
President Donald Trump was recently diagnosed with a common vein condition called chronic venous insufficiency. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that Trump had noticed swelling in one of his legs, prompting him to undergo testing. CVI is a condition usually caused by damaged leg veins that struggle to send blood back up to the heart. Leavitt said Trump tested for other, more serious complications that sometimes go hand in hand with chronic venous insufficiency, but none were found. 'No signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness were identified,' she said. Here's what to know about the condition. CVI happens when leg veins are damaged and some blood cannot flow from the legs to the heart and pools up in the leg veins, causing swelling and other complications. The condition is generally mild but can worsen over time. If left untreated, it can cause a host of symptoms, including swelling, cramps, skin changes, leg ulcers, and varicose veins, which are veins that become swollen and twisted. 'What's interesting about this is that it runs the spectrum from very, very mild — where you might have a little bit of swelling, maybe a few varicose veins — to very severe, where you have very severe swelling, skin changes, hyperpigmentation, sort of fibrosis or leather appearance of the skin and even wounds,' said Dr. Thomas Maldonado, a vascular surgeon and medical director of the Venous Thromboembolic Center at NYU Langone Health. 'It's chronic, and over the course of a lifetime, especially as we age, this can be more severe.' Sean Barbabella, the president's physician, called CVI 'a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over 70' in a letter released to the public. The condition can, however, be tied to more serious conditions, including deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, or pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that stops blood flow to an artery in the lung. Barbabella said Trump showed no signs of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. CVI affects about 1 in 20 adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It's especially common in older adults, and the risk increases with age. Trump turned 79 last month. CVI has a handful of treatments, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgery. Barbabella, in his letter, did not specify what treatments — if any — Trump would be undergoing. Lifestyle changes, like regular exercise, leg elevation and weight management are usually the first steps to treating CVI, according to Maldonado. Compression therapy, which involves tight stockings or bandages, is also an option. Blood thinners are sometimes used to prevent blood clots from forming. Some treatments involve injecting a chemical into the veins, which causes scarring, so the veins no longer carry blood. For worse cases, surgery is sometimes necessary. That can involve tying off the problem vein so that it no longer transports blood, or, if necessary, removing the vein. Those options are usually only available if the vein is 'superficial,' or close to the skin. In cases where deeper veins are the ones damaged, surgery is usually not an option. 'Sometimes the ultrasound will show it's mostly in the deep system. And unfortunately, those are sacred. We can't really do surgery or shut those veins down. They're critical for the circulation,' said Maldonado. Maya Kaufman contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
