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What is chronic venous insufficiency, the condition President Trump has been diagnosed with?

What is chronic venous insufficiency, the condition President Trump has been diagnosed with?
INVESTIGATION. WHEN WE ARE NOT ON THE AIR. MORE BREAKING NEWS NOW. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY. THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE PRESIDENT WAS TESTED AFTER REPORTING SWELLING IN HIS LEGS. POLITICAL REPORTER SHARMAN SACCHETTI IN THE NEWSROOM COVERING THIS SHARMAN. IT’S A FAIRLY COMMON CONDITION. IT IS. DOCTORS SAY IT’S A COMMON CONDITION PEOPLE DEVELOP AS THEY GET OLDER, ADDING IT’S OFTEN SEEN AS BENIGN. THE PRESIDENT GETTING THE HEALTH CHECKUP AFTER HE NOTICED MILD SWELLING IN HIS LEGS. THERE WAS ALSO BRUISING IN HIS HANDS, THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY REVEALING THE DIAGNOSIS DURING A BRIEFING HOURS AGO. SHE NOTED REPORTERS HAD RECENTLY COMMENTED ON THE PRESIDENT’S MAKEUP COVERED HAND. DOCTORS SAY CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY HAPPENS WHEN VEINS IN THE LEGS ARE NOT MANAGING BLOOD FLOW THE RIGHT WAY, MAKING IT HARDER FOR BLOOD TO RETURN TO THE HEART. TREATMENT INCLUDES KEEPING LEGS ELEVATED AND COMPRESSION. A LOT OF THE TREATMENT IS LIFESTYLE. IF SOMEONE COMES IN WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY, THE GOLD STANDARD IS STILL GRADED. COMPRESSION STOCKINGS, WHICH MAY KIND OF SOUND ANTIQUATED, BUT THE IDEA IS THOSE TIRED VALVES NEED HELP. NOW, AT THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESS SECRETARY CAROLINE LEAVITT, READ A DOCTOR’S LETTER. SHE SAID THIS IS NOT A SIGN OF ANYTHING MORE SERIOUS, AND ADDED THE BRUISING ON THE PRESIDENT’S HAND IS ALSO CONSISTENT WITH IRRITATION FROM HANDSHAKING AND USING ASPIRIN. SHE SAYS HE REMAINS IN EXCELLENT
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Updated: 4:58 PM CDT Jul 18, 2025
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What is chronic venous insufficiency, the condition President Trump has been diagnosed with?
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Updated: 4:58 PM CDT Jul 18, 2025
Editorial Standards
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced Thursday. Here's a closer look at the condition and Trump's diagnosis:What is chronic venous insufficiency?Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the body has trouble pumping blood from the legs to the heart. It results from damage to the valves in the leg veins, which hinders the veins' ability to move blood out of the legs and causes blood to pool there.What causes CVI?There are a number of factors that can cause CVI, including age, genetics, obesity, lack of exercise, blood clots, smoking and pregnancy.What are the symptoms?According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of CVI include:Achy or tired legsBurning, tingling or “pins and needles” sensation in your legsCramping in your legs at nightSwelling in your lower legs and ankles, especially after standing a while or at the end of the dayDiscolored skin that looks reddish-brownFlaking or itching skin on your legs or feetFull or heavy feeling in your legsLeathery-looking skin on your legsCan it be treated?Yes, for most cases, CVI can be treated with lifestyle changes and compression therapy, which can improve blood flow, the skin's appearance and reduce pain and swelling.Lifestyle changes include weight management, increased exercise and leg elevation.For more extreme cases, CVI may require surgery.Video below: WH press secretary announces Trump's diagnosisWhat does Trump's specific condition look like?Trump, 79, underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies” with the White House Medical Unit, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, reading from a note from the president’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella.Barbabella’s note stated that “bilateral lower extremity venous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, ICD-9, a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”The examination came after Trump had “noted mild swelling in his lower legs” over recent weeks, Leavitt said.Reading Barbabella’s note, Leavitt said there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” and that Trump’s lab testing was all “within normal limits.” Trump also underwent an echocardiogram, which found “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness,” she said.Leavitt later added that the president was experiencing “no discomfort.” She deferred to a forthcoming letter from Barbabella regarding treatment for the condition.The press secretary also addressed bruising that has appeared on the back of the president’s hand, which she attributed to his “frequent handshaking,” plus his 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,” Leavitt said, via Barbabella.CNN contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced Thursday.

Here's a closer look at the condition and Trump's diagnosis:

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What is chronic venous insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the body has trouble pumping blood from the legs to the heart. It results from damage to the valves in the leg veins, which hinders the veins' ability to move blood out of the legs and causes blood to pool there.

What causes CVI?

There are a number of factors that can cause CVI, including age, genetics, obesity, lack of exercise, blood clots, smoking and pregnancy.

What are the symptoms?

, symptoms of CVI include:

  • Achy or tired legs
  • Burning, tingling or “pins and needles” sensation in your legs
  • Cramping in your legs at night
  • Swelling in your lower legs and ankles, especially after standing a while or at the end of the day
  • Discolored skin that looks reddish-brown
  • Flaking or itching skin on your legs or feet
  • Full or heavy feeling in your legs
  • Leathery-looking skin on your legs

Can it be treated?

Yes, for most cases, CVI can be treated with lifestyle changes and compression therapy, which can improve blood flow, the skin's appearance and reduce pain and swelling.

Lifestyle changes include weight management, increased exercise and leg elevation.

For more extreme cases, CVI may require surgery.

Video below: WH press secretary announces Trump's diagnosis

What does Trump's specific condition look like?

Trump, 79, underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies” with the White House Medical Unit, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, reading from a note from the president’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella.

Barbabella’s note stated that “bilateral lower extremity venous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, ICD-9, a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

The examination came after Trump had “noted mild swelling in his lower legs” over recent weeks, Leavitt said.

Reading Barbabella’s note, Leavitt said there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” and that Trump’s lab testing was all “within normal limits.” Trump also underwent an echocardiogram, which found “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness,” she said.

Leavitt later added that the president was experiencing “no discomfort.” She deferred to a forthcoming letter from Barbabella regarding treatment for the condition.

The press secretary also addressed bruising that has appeared on the back of the president’s hand, which she attributed to his “frequent handshaking,” plus his 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,” Leavitt said, via Barbabella.

CNN contributed to this report.