Former President Donald Trump was recently examined due to noticeable swelling in his legs, which led to a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency—a condition not considered life-threatening but one that could affect his daily life.
Speculation about Trump’s health had intensified following public appearances showing swelling around his ankles. On Thursday, he underwent a thorough evaluation, including vascular imaging, conducted by the White House Medical Unit. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue, reading a statement from the president’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella.
Barbabella’s note confirmed that Trump had “mild swelling in his lower legs” and underwent bilateral Doppler ultrasounds, which indicated the presence of chronic venous insufficiency. He emphasized that this condition is fairly common and typically occurs in people over 70 years old.
Importantly, no signs of more serious health issues—such as deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, heart failure, or kidney dysfunction—were found. Trump also had an echocardiogram, with all lab results returning normal.
According to CNN, roughly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency each year, with risk increasing as one ages. Common symptoms include swelling, cramping, aching in the legs, and possible skin changes.
Dr. Jeremy Faust of Harvard Medical School told CNN the diagnosis wasn’t unexpected and doesn’t raise immediate alarm. He noted that aging, obesity, and Trump’s body type make the condition plausible, and it was appropriate to rule out more severe causes.
Cardiologist Dr. Bernard Ashby added that while the condition itself is labeled benign, it can be a sign of underlying health problems such as elevated heart or lung pressure. He emphasized the need to investigate the root cause of the venous insufficiency.
Public health expert Dr. Chris Pernell echoed similar concerns, noting that aging, lack of physical activity, and being overweight are contributing factors. Though not fatal, the condition can be severely limiting if unmanaged.
Rumors About Trump’s Health Intensify After Viral Image
Beyond the official diagnosis, speculation about Trump’s health continues. In June, a photo taken during a UFC event—where fighter Kayla Harrison was seen placing a championship belt around Trump’s waist—sparked rumors online that he might be using a catheter.
Social media posts speculated that the former president was wearing leg braces or even a Foley catheter, pointing to what some described as tubing visible under his pants. Some users claimed the bruising on his hand might indicate infusion therapy, possibly linked to a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease.
However, others pushed back against the claims, arguing that what people saw was likely a crease in the fabric of his pants—not a catheter. Medical commenters on social media noted that Foley catheters are generally used only after certain procedures, and ambulatory patients would more typically use alternative methods.