Donald Trump underwent a full vascular workup on the White House after noticing swelling in his legs, resulting in a analysis of persistent venous insufficiency, a situation frequent in older adults, in keeping with a letter launched Thursday (July 17) by his doctor.

The 79-year-old had a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned, studying immediately from a memo written by Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician. The letter confirmed that “bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

The analysis adopted Trump’s report of “mild swelling in his lower legs” over the previous few weeks, Leavitt mentioned. Despite the analysis, Barbabella famous there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease,” and all lab outcomes had been “within normal limits.” Trump additionally had an echocardiogram, which confirmed “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness.”

Chronic venous insufficiency happens when vein valves within the legs don’t operate correctly, inflicting blood to pool. It impacts roughly 150,000 folks yearly, with danger rising with age. Symptoms could embody swelling, aching, varicose veins or pores and skin adjustments. Treatment ranges from medicine to surgical procedures in additional superior instances.

“This is a pretty normal part of aging, and especially for someone in the overweight to obese category, which is where the president has always been,” mentioned Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency medication professor at Harvard Medical School, in an interview with CNN. “But the bigger concern … is that symptoms like this do need to be evaluated for more serious conditions, and that is what happened.”

Cardiologist Dr. Bernard Ashby instructed CNN that whereas the analysis is just not instantly worrisome, it might be an indication of one thing extra.

“Even though he’s diagnosed with a benign condition, venous insufficiency, by itself doesn’t necessarily mean it’s benign,” Ashby mentioned. “The question is, what’s causing the venous insufficiency?”

Ashby praised the medical group for “covering all their bases” by ruling out coronary heart failure and different associated points. Dr. Chris Pernell, a public well being doctor, added that age, weight and a sedentary life-style are all contributing components.

“If a person is older, a person is overweight, a person is not engaging in regular physical activity or exercise, if a person is sitting or standing for prolonged amounts of time, you can get chronic venous insufficiency,” she mentioned. “And while it is not life-threatening, it can be debilitating.”

Leavitt additionally addressed seen bruising on the again of Trump’s hand, attributing it to “frequent handshaking” and his use of aspirin. Barbabella confirmed within the letter, “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”

The letter concluded with a clear invoice of well being: “President Trump remains in excellent health.” Trump turns 80 subsequent month and can then be the oldest U.S. president in historical past.

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