President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) after being evaluated for swelling in his lower limbs and wounds on his hand, the White House announced.
Spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said Thursday that the president was diagnosed after weeks of experience of mild discomfort in his leg.
In a published letter, President Trump’s doctor, Dr. Sean Barbabera, confirmed that there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. All Trump’s lab results were within normal range.
“Echocardiograms were also performed to confirm the structure and function of the normal heart,” the letter added.
But what is chronic venous deficiency and how dangerous is it? Here’s what we know:
What is chronic venous deficiency?
CVI is a type of venous disorder that develops when a vein in the leg is damaged, explains Cleveland Clinic. The veins have valves that help the blood rise towards the heart. If these valves are damaged, they will not close properly and blood will flow backwards. This is called venous return.
This can lead to the blood pool in the lower extremities. In addition to swelling – most often around the feet and ankles – symptoms include pain in the feet, severe or tingling sensations, and the appearance of varicose veins.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the disease affects about one in three adults, and CVI affects people over the age of 50. The risk increases with age.
What are the other common symptoms?
According to the American Heart Association, some symptoms include swelling in the legs, as the president experienced, but also skin irritation.
Skin problems are usually red, itchy, or flaky patches of the lower limbs, resulting in insufficient blood flow and sometimes ulcers.
Additional symptoms may include pain, itching, bleeding, heavy or tired sensations in the legs, cramps, throbbing, and calming.
Trump was also mocking his hands, according to the White House. Dr. Barbabella said that “due to “frequent manual minor soft tissue stimulation and the use of aspirin, which is adopted as part of standard cardiovascular prevention regimes,” according to the White House release.
How serious is CVI?
The condition is generally mild, but can worsen over time.
“Chronic venous deficiency can have a big impact on your quality of life, but early detection and treatment can make a big difference,” said Joshua A. Beckman, chair of the American Heart Association’s Vascular Health Advisory Board and the Scientific Council on Peripheral Vascular Diseases.
The condition itself is not usually serious, but it can be associated with more dangerous complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary embolism (coagulation that blocks blood flow to the lungs).
Dr. Barbabera, the president’s doctor, described the Trump incident as “a benign and common condition, especially in individuals over the age of 70.” He confirmed that Trump, 79, showed no signs of those more serious complications.
What is the treatment for CVI?
The doctor will usually start treatment for compression therapy. This helps reduce swelling and discomfort in the legs. Compressed stockings are often prescribed and may be worn for a long period of time as they support venous function by promoting blood flow to the heart.
Additionally, doctors may recommend weight loss or resistance exercise to improve circulation.
If symptoms persist, such as leg pain, skin pain, thickening, or stiff skin, more invasive treatment may be required. These include heat therapy, such as laser treatments that seal the injured vein, and sclerotherapy, injected due to chemicals colliding with venous disruption. After treatment, the body naturally redirects blood flow through healthy veins.
