Trump diagnosed with vein disease after being examined for swelling and bruises
The US president has ‘chronic venous insufficiency’, a condition common in people over 70, his doctor says
The White House said on Thursday that US President Donald Trump is experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photographs emerged of Trump with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, reading a letter from Trump’s doctor at a press briefing, said both ailments were benign. His leg swelling is from a “common” vein condition, and his hand is bruised from shaking so many hands, she told reporters.
The disclosure sought to put to rest a raft of internet speculation that the 79-year-old Trump might be suffering from a serious ailment based on the photographic evidence.
After Leavitt’s briefing, the White House released the letter from a US Navy officer who is Trump’s doctor, Sean Barbabella. It said Trump underwent a suite of tests about the issues.
Barbabella said an ultrasound on the president’s legs “revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70”.
The letter said there was no evidence Trump had contracted deep vein thrombosis, a malady that afflicted former US president Richard Nixon, or arterial disease.
Additional exams identified no signs of heart failure, kidney impairment, or a systemic illness, Barbabella said.