Following the emergence of photographs showing united States President Donald Trump with swollen ankles, the White House announced on Thursday (July 17) that he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

White House spokeswoman Karoline leavitt stated that President Trump had been experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand.Leavitt emphasized that both ailments are benign, attributing the hand discolouration to “tissue irritation from frequent handshaking.”

President Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella, confirmed the diagnosis after an ultrasound of the president’s legs. “The ultrasound revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” Barbabella said.

what is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in the legs struggle to efficiently return blood to the heart.This process, which involves pumping blood against gravity from the feet upwards, relies on one-way valves within the leg veins to prevent backflow. When these valves malfunction, blood can pool in the lower legs, leading to symptoms like swelling around the feet and ankles.

Damage to these valves, often due to vein weakening and enlargement that prevents proper closure, can trigger CVI. Factors increasing the likelihood of developing CVI include being overweight, pregnancy, a family history of the condition, leg injuries from surgery, previous blood clots, or other trauma.

Symptoms of CVI

Beyond lower leg swelling, CVI symptoms can manifest as achy, heavy, or tingly legs, and the appearance of varicose veins. In more severe cases, leg ulcers, known as venous ulcers, can develop. Increased blood pressure in the legs can also cause capillaries under the skin to rupture, leading to small blood spots. Other indicators include cracked skin, open sores, and skin discolouration, typically brown, near the ankles.

Severity of CVI

While CVI is generally not considered a serious health threat, it can cause meaningful pain and disability, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dr. Todd Berland, director of outpatient vascular interventions at NYU Langone Health, described CVI as a “quality-of-life issue, not a quantity of life issue,” stating it has no impact on life expectancy.

However, Dr. Kwame Amankwah,chief of vascular surgery at the University of Connecticut,cautioned that the condition requires management. “If it’s not managed with compression stockings…” he warned, highlighting the importance of ongoing care.