KEY POINTS:
• President Trump underwent vascular testing after experiencing mild leg swelling, according to ABC News
• Testing revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in people over 70, CNN reported citing Dr. Sean Barbabella’s letter
• All test results were within normal limits with no evidence of serious conditions, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency following medical testing prompted by swelling in his legs, the White House announced Thursday.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump noted “mild swelling in his lower legs” in recent weeks, according to ABC News. The swelling prompted an evaluation by the White House medical team.
CNN reported that Dr. Sean Barbabella’s letter stated Trump underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies.” According to CNN, the letter noted that “bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”
The announcement came after photos circulated showing apparent swelling when Trump attended the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13, CNBC reported.
CNN reported that about 150,000 people are diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency each year. NPR cited the Society for Vascular Surgery as saying the condition affects up to 40% of Americans.
According to ABC News, Leavitt said there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease” and that an echocardiogram showed “normal cardiac structure and function.” All laboratory test results were “within normal limits,” ABC News reported Leavitt as saying.
The Hill reported that chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins struggle to pump blood back to the heart, causing blood to pool, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
CNN quoted Dr. Jeremy Faust, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, as saying, “It’s basically not alarming information, and it’s not surprising.” CNN reported Faust added, “This is a pretty normal part of aging, and especially for someone in the overweight to obese category.”
Leavitt also addressed visible bruising on the back of Trump’s hand, attributing it to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” according to ABC News.
The 79-year-old Trump is the oldest person in US history to assume the presidency, Al Jazeera reported. He underwent his annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in April, according to ABC News.
ABC News reported that Leavitt said “The president remains in excellent health,” quoting from the physician’s assessment.
