Following the announcement that President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), the White House has released additional details about his health, including an explanation for recent concerns over visible bruising on his hands.
In a memo shared Thursday, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbarella stated that the 79-year-old president remains in “excellent condition,” despite mild leg swelling that led to further testing. The evaluation, conducted by the White House Medical Unit, was described as precautionary and part of routine medical oversight.
Photos of President Trump’s swollen ankles and what appeared to be makeup-covered bruises on his hands—captured during public appearances, including a handshake with Bahrain’s Crown Prince—had sparked widespread speculation about his health.
Dr. Barbarella’s memo addressed those concerns directly.
“The President underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies,” Barbarella wrote.
“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. Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.”
The memo further detailed that extensive lab testing—including blood counts, metabolic panels, coagulation screening, and cardiac biomarkers—all returned results within normal limits. An echocardiogram also confirmed that the president has “normal cardiac structure and function,” with no indications of heart failure, kidney issues, or systemic illness.
The White House emphasized that while CVI can cause swelling in the lower legs, it is not a life-threatening condition and can be managed with proper care.
Thursday’s press briefing by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the president is in good health and took a swipe at media outlets for their focus on his appearance. Leavitt criticized what she called “overblown” coverage of Trump’s hands and noted his continued use of aspirin as part of his medical regimen.
Notably, Trump also passed his routine physical in April 2025 with a clean bill of health, at the time also being declared in “excellent condition.”
