Trump's swollen legs & bruised hand caused by common vein condition & 'frequent handshaking'

U.S. President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a "benign and common" vein condition, after he experienced swelling in his lower legs.

Recent photos of Trump showed swollen ankles and makeup covering the back of his bruised right hand, causing speculation over the 79-year-old's health.

Trump's bruised hand was attributed to "frequent handshaking" and the use of aspirin, according to a memo from Trump's physician, Sean Barbabella, read during a White House press briefing on Jul. 17.

The president remains in "excellent" overall health, said the White House.

Trump was said to have undergone a thorough health examination after he noticed mild swelling in his lower legs, where it was revealed he had chronic venous insufficiency.

The condition is most commonly found in those over the age of 70.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic website, chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, occurs when one's leg veins become damaged and do not allow blood to flow back up to one's heart.

This causes blood to pool in one's legs, leading to symptoms such as swelling and ulcers.

"Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease," Barbabella noted.

No signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified.

Barbabella claimed that the bruising on Trump's hand was due to minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.

"This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy," the memo read.

Top image via @POTUS/X and @realdonaldtrump/Instagram