Donald Trump Has Vein Disease — What Chronic Venous Insufficiency Means for His Health

US President Donald Trump, 79, has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that causes swelling in the lower legs due to poor blood flow in the veins. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, on July 17, confirmed the development, reading a note from Trump’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella.

According to Barbabella’s statement, “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.”

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when veins in the legs are unable to effectively return blood to the heart. This leads to blood pooling in the lower limbs, often resulting in swelling, aching and other symptoms. Trump, who turned 79 in June, is among those at higher risk due to his age.

“If a person is older, a person is overweight, a person is not engaging in regular physical activity or exercise, if a person is sitting or standing for prolonged amounts of time, you can get chronic venous insufficiency,” Dr Chris Pernell told CNN.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency include:

• Achy or tired legs

• Swelling in lower legs or ankles (especially after standing)

• Cramping at night

• Discoloured or leathery skin

• Tingling or burning sensation

• Flaking or itchy skin

• Heaviness or fullness in the legs

• Varicose veins

• Open sores or ulcers near the ankles

While CVI is often benign, ignoring it can lead to complications. According to USA Today, untreated CVI can result in postphlebitic syndrome, a complication that follows deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or venous ulcers, which are painful open sores near the ankles.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that around 10% to 35% of adults in the US suffer from chronic venous insufficiency. More than 1.5 lakh new cases are diagnosed each year, particularly among those aged 70 and above.

Risk factors include:

• Ageing

• Family history of varicose veins

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Sedentary lifestyle

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a combination of lifestyle changes and preventive care is needed to manage chronic venous insufficiency. These include:

• Avoid prolonged sitting or standing: Move your legs every 30 minutes during travel or work.

• Elevate legs: Raise legs above heart level when resting.

• Stay active: Walk regularly to boost circulation.

• Control weight: Maintain a healthy weight to ease vein pressure.

• Care for skin: Moisturise daily to prevent cracks and dryness.

• Watch for changes: Check for ulcers, swelling, or discolouration.

• Use compression stockings: Wear as advised to reduce swelling and support blood flow.

While chronic venous insufficiency is a manageable condition, awareness and early diagnosis could be helpful in full recovery.