President Donald Trump has a newly diagnosed health issue: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed this week that the 79-year-old was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficient, or CVI, after he underwent medical testing for “mild swelling” in his legs as well as some bruising on his hands.
What is CVI? How is it treated, and what are the symptoms? Here’s a primer on the condition:
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
CVI is caused by a dysfunction of the valves in your leg veins, Sanjiv Lakhanpal, MD, the founder and CEO of Center for Vein Restoration, tells us.
“Normally, these valves help return blood upward toward the heart,” he says. “When the valves weaken or become damaged, this backward flow, known as venous reflux, leads to increased pressure in the veins.”
CVI affects about one in 20 adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s most common among people over the age of 50, and is slightly more prevalent in women — particularly those who’ve been pregnant, Dr. Lakhanpal says.
What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency?
In addition to edema (aka the swelling in the lower legs that Trump is apparently experiencing), other common symptoms include varicose veins, leg pain, an itching or tingling sensation, and skin discoloration around the ankles. In more advanced cases, Dr. Lakhanpal says ulcers or open sores can develop around the ankles.
These symptoms often become worse after long periods of standing or sitting, and can sometimes improve when the legs are elevated.
What treatments are available for chronic venous insufficiency?
Compression socks, which help promote the upward flow of blood, can help — as can lifestyle changes like regular exercise and weight management. There are also minimally invasive procedures that can ease CVI, including ablation techniques that remove damaged veins. However, as its name suggests, CVI is chronic and there’s no cure for it.
It’s considered a highly manageable condition and not life-threatening. But if left untreated, CVI can lead to complications like venous ulcers and superficial thrombophlebitis, an inflammation of the veins due to clotting, Dr. Lakhanpal says.
“Early recognition and treatment are crucial for preventing progression and enhancing quality of life,” he says.
