Here are some facts about chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt today said afflicts President Trump. I’m getting this out now before the news media universe gets swamped by misinformation and disinformation about Trump’s medical condition.
The facts include:
- Symptoms range from small purple or blue veins just under the surface of the skin, to serious changes such as venous leg ulcers or inflammation of the layer of fat under the skin.
- About 5–30% of adults have it.
- It needs lifelong care.
- It’s about twice as common in women compared to men.
- Risk factors include obesity and pregnancy.
- It can significantly affect quality of life.
- Conservative treatments include compression stockings, exercise, keeping legs elevated 30 minutes three times a day, and losing weight.
For more detailed technical information about CVI and how to treat it conservatively, see:
Özdemir ÖÇ, Surmeli M. Conservative Management of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Clinical Physical Therapy. 2017.
Orhurhu V, Chu R, Xie K et al. Management of Lower Extremity Pain from Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A Comprehensive Review. Cardiol Ther. 2021;10(1):111–140.
Azar J, Rao A, Oropallo A. Chronic venous insufficiency: a comprehensive review of management. J Wound Care. 2022;31(6):510–519. (Warning: This paper contains images that are not for the squeamish.)