President Trump was formally diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — a relatively common and benign circulatory condition — after noticing mild swelling in his lower legs in mid‑July 2025 (CBS News).
What We Know About the Diagnosis
- Date & Context: On July 17, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a memo from the president’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella. It noted that Trump, who turned 79 on June 14, had undergone a comprehensive evaluation after noticing leg swelling in recent weeks (CBS News).
- Medical Findings: Testing included bilateral venous Doppler ultrasounds, blood panels, echocardiogram, and vascular assessments. They ruled out serious issues such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), arterial disease, heart failure, kidney issues, or systemic illnesses. All lab results were within normal limits, and his heart function was reportedly normal (ABC News).
- Nature of CVI: CVI occurs when veins—especially in the legs—struggle to return blood to the heart, causing pooling, increased pressure, swelling, varicose veins, and in rare cases skin changes or ulcers (CBS News). It’s especially common in individuals over age 70, with an estimated 5% to 35% of adults affected depending on age and health factors (Medical News Today).
Why It’s Considered Minor
- Mild Symptoms: Trump reported no discomfort related to the condition (ABC News). The swelling was described as mild, and there were no serious complications.
- Benign & Treatable: Medical experts said CVI is generally non-life‑threatening. In most cases, it can be effectively managed with conservative treatments such as compression stockings, leg elevation, regular movement, and exercise. Surgical interventions like vein ablation or phlebectomy are reserved for more severe cases (Houston Chronicle).
Hand Bruising & Makeup
- Trump has been seen using makeup to conceal a persistent bruise on his right hand. The White House attributed this minor bruising to frequent handshaking and his daily aspirin regimen, which he takes as a preventative measure for cardiovascular health (AP News).
- During a recent golf trip in Scotland, he was also spotted wearing multiple Band-Aids on that hand—possibly from blisters or minor irritation—though the bruising likely stems from the same causes (The Daily Beast).
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) after noticing mild leg swelling |
| Tests Conducted | Venous Doppler ultrasound, echocardiogram, blood panels, vascular exams |
| Serious Issues Ruled Out | DVT, arterial disease, heart/kidney/systemic illness |
| Symptom Severity | Mild swelling, no pain or discomfort reported |
| Typical Prevalence | Common in adults over 70; affects approximately 5–35% of the population |
| Treatment Options | Conservative—compression, elevation, exercise; procedures in rare cases |
| Bruising Explanation | Attributed to frequent handshaking and aspirin use |
Bottom Line
Chronic venous insufficiency in Trump’s case appears to be a minor, age-related vascular issue resulting in mild leg swelling. It is not life-threatening, and there has been no indication of deeper circulatory or systemic medical issues. His physical exam earlier in April 2025 had already affirmed excellent overall health and fitness for office (CBS News, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle).
If you’d like more detail about CVI—like risk factors, long-term outlook, or management strategies—I can dive into that too.
