From swollen ankles to leg cramps - 10 signs of Donald Trump's painful diagnosis
DONALD Trump has been diagnosed with a painful vein condition after photos showed the US president with swollen ankles and bruised hands.
The 79-year-old was given a thorough examination by White House medics, which revealed he had chronic venous insufficiency.
Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiencyCredit: Reuters
Pictures of the president at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final football match showed suspicious swelling in his ankles
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the truth behind the symptoms in a press briefing ThursdayThe common condition occurs when leg veins become damaged over time and can't work as they should, causing blood to pool in the legs.
This increases pressure in the leg veins, leading to symptoms like ankle swelling, leg cramps, ulcers and flaky skin.
Recent images of Trump at a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 football match on July 13 prompted a surge of speculation about his health.
A seated picture of the president where his trousers had ridden up revealed swelling in his ankles.
Bruising was also spotted on Trump's right hand, which appeared to have been covered up with makeup.
Speaking to reporters, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said had Trump noticed "minor swelling in his lower legs" in recent weeks.
Chronic venous insufficiency affects about one in 20 adults, and the risk increases with age, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Leavitt described it as a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70".
The press secretary said Trump's medical examination had revealed no other serious health issues.
“Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease," Leavitt said.
Facts on peripheral artery disease"An echocardiogram was also performed and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function, no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified additionally.”
Leavitt added that Trump was not in any pain from the condition.
She also sought to downplay the bruising on the president's hands, saying they were caused by irritation from “frequent handshaking,” coupled with his aspirin regimen.
Chronic venous insufficiency happens due to damage to in the leg veins, slowing down blood flow from the legs back up to the heart.
Bruising was also spotted on Trump's handThe condition can cause mild symptoms at first but, over time, it can interfere with your quality of life and lead to serious complications, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Without treatment, it can increase pressure in the legs, causing tiny blood vessels in the leg to burst.
This can give skin in the legs a reddish-brown hue and also make it more vulnerable to injury is bumped or scratched.
Here are 10 telltale symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency to know.
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that become visible under the skin, usually in the legs.
They happen when the valves that control the flow of blood in your vein do not work properly.
This causes blood to build up and put pressure on the vein, which makes it swell and twist.
How is chronic venous insufficiency treated?Being overweight, having a family history of chronic venous insufficiency or suffering blood clots or injuries to your legs can up your risk of the condition.
Having high blood pressure, smoking and not exercising enough can also be risk factors.
Lifestyle tweaks can help with managing chronic venous insufficiency.
This can include taking up walking or other forms of exercise to improve blood flow in your legs.
It's recommended that you don't sit or stand for too long, so getting up and moving as often as you can can be helpful.
Foot and ankle flexing exercises may also help.
Read More on The US SunElevating your legs for up to 30 minutes can ease swelling and discomfort in your legs, as can things like compression stockings.
You may also be prescribed medication to improve blood flow.