When photos of President Donald Trump’s swollen hands and ankles went viral last summer, I saw my own condition reflected. The president was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vascular condition affecting tens of millions of Americans, or around one in four people, mainly those over 50.
Venous insufficiency means weak veins impair blood flow in the legs, leading to high blood pressure, swelling, and even ulcers. At 32, I am among the five percent of adults aged 18 to 65 with this condition, which has plagued me since my teenage years. It causes embarrassment with red, purple, and blue veins on my feet, ankles, and legs.
The condition occurs when valves in leg veins fail, causing blood to pool. Symptoms include pain, itchiness, and swelling, with extreme cases leading to leg ulcers. While rare in younger adults, Dr. Rob Attaran of Yale New Haven Health notes treating patients as young as 19, with higher risk for women. Other risk factors include inactivity, genetics, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, deep vein thrombosis, and sleeping in a chair.
Trump’s physician Dr. Sean Barbabella confirmed the president’s mild swelling due to the condition, calling it benign and common. Venous insufficiency cannot be cured but can be managed with compression socks, lifestyle changes, or minimally invasive procedures like catheter-based treatments, according to Dr. Richard Meena of Brown Surgical Associates.
For me, hiding the veins with filters and blurring tools on social media has become routine. But experts say the best approach is understanding the condition. While tattoos might seem like a cover-up, they can damage veins and don't address underlying issues. Awareness and proper management are key.
