What’s persistent venous insufficiency, Trump’s analysis?

President Donald Trump has been recognized with a situation that causes blood to pool in his legs after he was examined for “gentle swelling in his decrease legs,” White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned Thursday.

At a press briefing, Leavitt mentioned Trump was recognized with persistent venous insufficiency, a “benign” situation widespread in individuals over the age of 70. The president is 79.

Comply with-up exams discovered no proof of a critical or life-threatening situation like deep vein thrombosis, she mentioned, however they did result in a analysis of persistent venous insufficiency.

What’s persistent venous insufficiency?

Usually, oxygen-rich blood is pumped everywhere in the physique, together with all through the legs and arms. Veins then ship that blood again to the guts to reoxygenate.

Generally, veins within the legs turn into broken and might’t handle to return that blood in addition to they need to, in keeping with the Cleveland Clinic. When that occurs, blood settles within the legs, resulting in a situation known as persistent venous insufficiency.

Sufferers can expertise swelling, ache and pores and skin discoloration. Generally, ulcers develop.

The situation itself is widespread, affecting an estimated 1 in 20 adults, normally over age 50. Dr. Lee Kirksey, a vascular surgeon on the Cleveland Clinic, mentioned it’s not life-threatening.

It does, nevertheless, “increase a yellow flag for us to take a look at underlying points, whether or not it’s physique weight or whether or not it’s a sedentary way of life,” Kirksey mentioned.

In accordance with Trump’s April 2025 bodily, his coronary heart perform is regular and “blood movement to his extremities is unimpaired.” His newest bodily additionally says he’s 6-foot-3 and weighs 239 kilos, which signifies he’s obese, in keeping with the NIH BMI Calculator. Being obese or overweight is a threat issue for persistent venous insufficiency.

How is persistent venous insufficiency handled?

Dr. Aaron Aday, co-director of vascular medication at Vanderbilt College Medical Heart in Nashville, mentioned the hot button is to work these leg veins to get them pumping once more.

“Once we stroll, the muscular tissues in our ft and our legs squeeze our veins that assist pump blood again to the guts,” Aday mentioned. “In case you’re sitting or standing, say, on a aircraft journey or a desk job, that strain can construct up, inflicting achiness and heaviness within the legs.”

There’s no particular remedy for persistent venous insufficiency. Carrying compression stockings and elevating legs may be useful, specialists mentioned.

Blood thinners can even assist stop blood clots from forming. Trump takes aspirin, a blood thinner, in keeping with his medical information.

Neither Kirksey nor Aday is concerned with Trump’s care.

On Thursday, the president’s doctor, Dr. Sean Barbabella, mentioned in a memo that “President Trump stays in wonderful well being.”