A vascular surgeon has raised serious concerns about former President Donald Trump’s health after his diagnosis with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) a condition that can become severe if not properly managed.
Photos showing Trump with noticeably swollen ankles sparked widespread speculation, leading to clarification from the White House earlier this summer. In July, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the CVI diagnosis, despite Trump’s physician declaring just three months earlier that he was in “excellent physical health.”
What is CVI?
According to Dr. Mimmie Kwong, associate professor of vascular surgery at the University of California, Davis, CVI occurs when the veins in the legs or arms do not work efficiently, causing blood to pool rather than flow back toward the heart. This results in swelling, pain, throbbing, and, in more advanced cases, unhealing wounds or even limb loss.
Dr. Kwong explained that as swelling worsens, the skin can thicken, become inflamed, and dry out. In untreated severe cases, these skin changes can progress into chronic wounds that may require amputation.
How common is CVI?
CVI is not rare it affects nearly one in three American adults, most commonly women and older individuals. However, the severity varies greatly from person to person.
Treatment options
For milder forms, treatment usually involves:
- Leg elevation
- Regular physical activity
- Wearing compression stockings
More advanced cases may require medical interventions such as:
- Ablation therapy (closing off problem veins)
- Surgical vein removal
- Injections with a sclerosant chemical to collapse damaged veins
Although Trump, now 79, has been seen with visible leg swelling, it remains unclear if he consistently uses compression socks a standard first-line treatment for CVI.
Why the warning?
Dr. Kwong’s warning was straightforward: without consistent treatment, CVI can progress to a stage where the risk of limb amputation becomes real. While not everyone with CVI faces this outcome, the condition demands close monitoring and proactive care, especially in elderly patients.
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