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• Posted July 18, 2025

Trump Diagnosed With Common Vein Condition in the Legs

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a vein condition that affects many older adults, the White House said.

Trump, 79, recently noticed some mild swelling in his lower legs. After a medical checkup, doctors found he has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where blood has trouble flowing back to the heart. 

That’s because small valves inside the veins stop working properly over time, allowing blood to pool in the legs.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the condition is not serious and very common in people over age 70, The Associated Press reported. She also said Trump had no signs of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the leg) or other problems like arterial disease.

Doctors conducted a full exam, including vascular and ultrasound tests, Leavitt said. The condition is not causing Trump any discomfort, and she said the update was meant to stop any rumors about his health.

She read a letter from Trump’s doctor, Dr. Sean Barbabella, during her press briefing. The letter confirmed the diagnosis and said Trump remains in good health.

Further, Trump had a full physical exam in April with more than a dozen specialists. At that time, his doctor reported normal blood flow and no swelling, with full range of motion in his joints and muscles. 

The new vein issue wasn't mentioned in that report.

Photos had recently shown bruising on the back of Trump’s hand, which the White House said came from frequent handshaking and use of aspirin, which he takes to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Anahita Dua, a vascular surgeon at Mass General Brigham who has not treated Trump, told The AP that “the vast majority of people, probably including our president, have a mild to moderate form of it.” 

People with this condition can reduce swelling by walking regularly and wearing compression stockings, Dua said.

In more serious cases, the condition can lead to sores on the lower legs called ulcers, though that wasn't found in Trump’s case, Leavitt added.

More information

The Cleveland Clinic has more on chronic venous insufficiency.

SOURCE: The Associated Press, July 17, 2025