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Topics: Donald Trump, Health, US News, Politics
Liv Bridge
Donald Trump’s chronic health condition has been explained after new photos spark health concerns.
The president has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House's physician revealed this week.
The diagnosis comes as eagle-eyed supporters spotted a large recurring bruise on the 79-year-old's hand, ever since Trump's election campaign trial in 2024.
The nasty yellow bruise reappeared in photographs when he met the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in the Oval Office in February, and just a few days later in March, two more darker marks were seen on the palm of his hand.
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The mysterious discolouration then made a comeback in April, though White House officials brushed off the bruise as signs Trump had simply been busy at work.
However, more recently, Trump was seen at the FIFA Club World Cup final with visible swelling around his lower legs close to his ankles, prompting his press secretary Karoline Leavitt to reveal his diagnosis on Thursday (July 17).
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the veins in the leg become damaged and can't work as they should.
Venous disease is usually considered common, affecting about one in three adults in the US, while around one in 20 are affected by CVI specifically.
CVI damages the valves that push blood back up to the heart, causing it to pool in the legs which can lead to increased pressure which causes tiny blood vessels (capillaries) to burst, then leading to possible swelling and ulcers.
It can occur in any of the veins in the leg, including deep veins, superficial veins that are close to the skin's surface and perforating veins.
The clinic adds CVI may cause mild symptoms in the beginning, but over time could 'interfere with your quality of life and lead to serious complications'.
Treatment for the condition, which usually affects people over the age of 50, includes compression therapy, some lifestyle changes or possible surgery.
Among the tips to alleviate the condition, the clinic advises to keep the leg elevated for a period of time every day, increase physical activity such as walking and keep a healthy weight.
Leavitt explained Trump had several medical tests to determine the swelling in his legs, as well as bruising he sustained to the back of his right hand.
"Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease," Leavitt said, as she read out a message from Trump's physician.
She went on to explain that the lab work included bloods and cardiac tests being taken, adding: "All results were within normal limits."
When she was asked if Trump was in any discomfort from the bruising, she replied that he is in 'excellent health' and hasn't been in pain.