Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watching the Club World Cup final with Fifa president Gianni Infantino and his wife Leena Al Ashqar at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition in people over 70, after his doctor evaluated swelling in his legs.
- Tests showed "no evidence" of serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, heart failure, or systemic illness, and the president is not experiencing discomfort.
- Bruising on Trump's hand is "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin," according to his press secretary.
AI generated
WASHINGTON – The White House said on July 17 that US President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Mr Trump with swollen ankles and make-up covering the afflicted part of his hand.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, reading a letter from Mr Trump’s doctor at a press briefing, said both ailments were benign. His leg swelling is from a “common” vein condition, and his hand is bruised from shaking so many hands, she told reporters.
The disclosure sought to put to rest a raft of internet rumours that the 79-year-old might be suffering from a serious ailment based on the photographic evidence.
After Ms Leavitt’s briefing, the White House released the letter from a US Navy officer who is Mr Trump’s physician, Dr Sean Barbabella. It said Mr Trump had undergone a suite of tests in relation to the issues.
Dr Barbabella said an ultrasound on the President’s legs “revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70”.
The letter said there was no evidence Mr Trump had contracted deep vein thrombosis, a malady that afflicted former president Richard Nixon, or arterial disease.
Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, kidney impairment, or a systemic illness, Dr Barbabella said.
Ms Leavitt told reporters Mr Trump was not experiencing discomfort due to the condition.
Dr Barbabella also said that Mr Trump had bruising on the back of his right hand.
He described this as “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”.
“President Trump remains in excellent health,” he said.
Dr Kwame Amankwah, a physician who is chief of vascular surgery at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, said chronic venous insufficiency is usually an issue with the lower legs in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart.
It is usually treated with compression stockings and leg elevation, he added.
The White House said on July 17 that US President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand.
PHOTO: DOUG MILLS/NYTIMES
“Even if he doesn’t have heart disease, the condition needs to be addressed. If it’s not managed with compression stockings and elevation, severe swelling and ulcers can develop, warranting more significant medical interventions,” Dr Amankwah said.
Dr Todd Berland, a physician who is director of outpatient vascular interventions at NYU Langone Health, said chronic venous insufficiency “has no overall effect on life expectancy”.
“It’s a quality-of-life issue, not a quantity-of-life issue,” he said.
Mr Trump underwent an extensive physical examination on April 11 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in suburban Washington. It said he had a normal heart rhythm and no major health problems. REUTERS
