(NEXSTAR) — The White House on Thursday said President Donald Trump was found to have chronic venous insufficiency after undergoing medical testing for “mild swelling” in his legs and bruising on one of his hands.
A note from Trump’s physician shared by press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 79-year-old president underwent ultrasounds and a “comprehensive exam” that included a diagnostic vascular study, The Hill previously reported.
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, typically affects people over the age of 50, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The older a person gets, the higher the risk of CVI becomes. It affects roughly 1 in 20 people, the health system says.
Trump undergoes medical exam for swelling in legs, hand bruising
Generally speaking, CVI is when the veins in your legs do not allow blood to flow back up to your heart, Johns Hopkins Medicine explains. Blood can flow backward, leading it to pool in your legs.
Untreated, a person with CVI may experience pain, swelling, cramps, changes to their skin, leg ulcers, and varicose veins. While not a serious health threat, according to Johns Hopkins, “it can be painful and disabling.”
In addition to age, your weight, family history, and any damage to your leg can cause CVI. People who are pregnant have also been known to develop the condition, per Johns Hopkins. Smoking, a lack of exercise, high blood pressure in the leg veins, deep vein thrombosis, and swelling may also cause CVI.
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Despite Trump’s diagnosis, the exam did not show any evidence of deep vein thrombosis, his physician said.
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is when one or more blood clots form within the deep veins of your body. Often, those veins are in your legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Swelling or pain in the legs are common symptoms.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that treatment for CVI can include compression therapy and lifestyle changes, like exercising, elevating the legs, and managing weight.
As for the bruising on his hands, Trump’s physician said it was “consistent with minor soft tissue damage from frequent handshaking.”
During his annual exam in April, Trump was described as being in “excellent health.”
