Former President Donald Trump was recently said to have chronic venous insufficiency, which could lead to increased swelling in the legs. Trump’s diagnosis followed a series of tests conducted after the president observed abnormal swelling and sought the cause.
To date, Trump has downplayed the severity of his COVID-19 diagnosis. The announcement specifically mentioned that physicians performed bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds. This invasive procedure ultimately led to a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency. This widely-underdiagnosed condition affects mostly those over 70. It can be characterized by dysfunctional veins in the legs, leading to visible varicose veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins in one or both legs have difficulty returning blood to the heart. Typically, leg veins are outfitted with a series of one-way valves to keep blood from sliding backward. When these one-way valves malfunction, blood can collect in the legs, causing painful swelling.
The president did have a very thorough examination from top to bottom, including very specific diagnostic vascular studies. 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,” said Sean Barbabella, who provided updates on Trump’s health.
Chronic venous insufficiency is not an end of life diagnosis. Though it can be very painful, it can often be effectively treated through dietary modifications and medications. Truth is, millions of Americans live with this condition without severe complications.
This diagnosis points to an underappreciated aspect of health that many of today’s older adults are missing. As our population continues to age, knowledge of disease processes such as chronic venous insufficiency becomes even more important.