Trump’s leg condition may be more dangerous and more common than you think.
After
President Donald Trump was diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI),
attention has turned to this underrecognized but serious vein condition.
CVI causes blood to pool in the
legs due to faulty valves in the veins, leading to swelling, fatigue, and even
skin damage, and it’s far more than a cosmetic issue. Experts warn it’s linked
to an increased risk of heart disease and even death, especially in older
adults. Often ignored until it’s advanced, CVI affects millions, and doctors
are urging the public to learn the signs early, as treatment is most effective
when started sooner.
Trump Diagnosed With Chronic
Venous Insufficiency
Following
news from the White House confirming that President Donald J. Trump has been
diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), the American Heart
Association is highlighting key facts about this condition and its link to
heart-related health risks and increased mortality.
The
Association, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to heart and brain
health, notes that chronic venous insufficiency (a type of chronic venous
disease) is widespread, particularly among older adults. Despite its
prevalence, CVI is frequently overlooked and inadequately treated. Research shows
a strong connection between CVI and a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD)
and facing higher mortality rates, regardless of a person’s age, sex, or
existing cardiovascular risk factors. CVI is commonly seen in individuals who
already have known cardiovascular risk factors or conditions, such as advanced
age, obesity, a history of smoking, low physical activity, or diagnosed heart
disease.
Getting
older significantly increases the likelihood of developing CVI. As people age,
the valves inside the veins of the legs—which help direct blood flow upward to
the heart—can weaken or suffer damage. When these valves do not work properly,
blood can begin to flow backward and collect in the veins of the legs. This
poor circulation can result in blood pooling and the progression of CVI.
Recognizing Symptoms Early Can
Save Lives
“Chronic
Venous Insufficiency can significantly impact your quality of life, but early
detection and treatment can make a substantial difference,” said past volunteer
chair of the American Heart Association’s Vascular Health Advisory Committee
and Scientific Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease Joshua A. Beckman, M.D.,
FAHA.
“That
is why it is vital for individuals to be aware of the signs and symptoms of CVI
so they can seek timely medical evaluation and intervention.”
Dr.
Beckman is the Executive Clinical Director of Cardiovascular Services and Chief
of the Division of Vascular Medicine and a professor in the Department of
Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he holds
the Gayle and Paul Stoffel Distinguished Chair in Cardiology. He also serves as
an associate editor of Circulation, the
leading scientific journal for cardiovascular medicine, and has been a
dedicated American Heart Association volunteer since 2004.
Common Signs: From Swelling to
Restless Legs
Symptoms
of chronic venous disease include edema (swelling), varicose veins, and skin
changes commonly called ‘venous eczema’ or ‘stasis dermatitis,’ which appear as red,
itchy, or scaly patches on the lower legs caused by poor blood flow. and
ulcerations. The condition can result in pain, itch, or bleeding in the
impacted area, as well as aching, cramping, throbbing, leg fatigue, heaviness,
or restless legs.
White
House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently announced that President Donald
Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after experiencing
mild swelling in his lower leg. The White House has also stated there was no
evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, and all laboratory
results were within normal limits.
DVT vs. CVI: Understanding the
Difference
Deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) are related but
distinct conditions affecting the veins, usually in the legs. Deep vein
thrombosis is a serious condition where a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a deep
vein, typically in the legs or pelvis. A potentially life-threatening
complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE), where a piece of the blood clot
breaks off and travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow.
Compression Therapy and Modern
Treatments
Treatment
for CVI includes compression therapy—multilayer and short-stretch bandaging,
elastic garments, graded compression stockings, and pneumatic pumps. The use of
topical anti-inflammatory steroid medications, as well as antibiotic and
diuretic therapy, may also be prescribed. Some patients may benefit from
interventional endovascular therapies, which are minimally invasive procedures
typically involving the insertion of a catheter, a thin tube, through a small
incision (often in the groin) and guiding it to the location of the blood clot
using imaging techniques such as X-rays or ultrasound to remove the
obstruction.
CVI
is diagnosed through duplex ultrasound, magnetic resonance venography (MRV), or
computed tomography venography (CTV) of the veins to look for backwards flow,
vein obstructions, or compressive syndromes.
In
the U.S., per the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke
Statistics:
- In
2022 (most recent data available), CVI was listed as the principal
diagnosis in 5,805 hospital discharges and among all-listed diagnoses in
234,655 hospital discharges
- Chronic
Venous Insufficiency (CVI) was listed as the cause of death in 62 people
in the U.S. in 2022.
- CVI
was listed among ‘any mention mortality’ in 977 deaths in 2022.
- Pain
is the most common symptom (29%), followed by swelling, heaviness,
fatigue, and cramping.
- Spider veins are seen in 7%, and varicosities and skin changes are seen in 4% each. Stasis ulcer is present in 1% of all patients with CVI.
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