Donald Trump health fears grow as chronic condition requires urgent intervention | World | News
Donald Trump’s second spell as President of the United States has been blighted by rumours and intrigue about the state of his health. Trump, 79, is the oldest man to ever assume the presidency and has been involved in several high-profile incidents where his health and fitness for office have been brought into question.
Late last year, the US President was forced to deny that he had fallen asleep in meetings, and on several occasions, he was spotted with heavy makeup on his right hand, prompting rumours that he was undergoing treatment for a medical condition.
In characteristic fashion, the former real estate magnate has hyperbolically talked up his physical fitness, claiming to have aced cognitive tests and impressed doctors during CT scans. However, the truth is understood to be more in keeping with a man approaching his 80th birthday, with Trump’s doctor admitting that the US leader suffers from a condition common in the elderly.
In mid-July, Donald Trump underwent medical checks at Walter Reed after his doctor reported mild swelling in his lower legs. Scans of his veins led physicians to diagnose chronic venous insufficiency, according to a medical memo.
The condition, which is common among older adults, occurs when the valves in the leg veins fail to function properly, restricting the return of blood to the heart.
Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s doctor, has now told the Wall Street Journal in a statement that the US President suffers from “superficial chronic venous insufficiency,” which involves the smaller veins in the body.
Whilst doctors say that the condition is manageable, it does require measures to be taken by sufferers to avoid deterioration, with Trump told to wear compression socks. Trump admitted to wearing the socks in an interview but confessed that he “didn’t like them,” and that he did not do so for very long.
Trump and his aides said the swelling in his legs has since eased. The president said he has been standing up from his desk and moving around more frequently, a common measure used to reduce lower-leg swelling.
Despite the President’s protestations that he is at peak physical fitness despite his age, damning analysis of his diary since returning to the White House shows that his schedule has slowed when compared to his first term. Analysis of Trump’s diary shows that he has appeared in public 40% less in his second term compared to his first.
The analysis, conducted by the New York Times shows that Trump is appearing in public less and starting his official engagements later in the day when compared to his first term between 2017 and 2021. Trump’s official schedule, which is logged in a database maintained by Roll Call, shows that his official appearances have dropped by 39%.
It states that the president held 1,688 official events between January 20 and November 25 in 2017. However, in the same period this year, he has led more than 600 fewer, appearing 1,029 times.
In 2017, the president started his day on average at 10.31am but tended to start his day in the afternoon during his second term, with an average start time of 12.08pm.
