President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which is a blood circulation issue that has caused "mild swelling in his lower legs," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed while addressing reporters on Thursday (July 17) via the New York Post.

Leavitt acknowledged recent visible bruising on the president's hands, claiming it was “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which Trump, 79, was taking as a preventative heart-health measure.

“In the effort of transparency, the president wanted me to share a note from his physician with all of you today,” Leavitt said.

“In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs, in keeping with routine medical care, and out of an abundance of caution, this concern was thoroughly evaluated by the White House medical unit,” she read. “The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies, bilateral lower extremity, venous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency… a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

“Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease… An echocardiogram was also performed and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function, no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness were identified additionally," Leavitt added.

It wasn't immediately made clear to the public how Trump would be treated for the ailment at the time of publication on Thursday.

“Recent photos of the president have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand,” Leavitt acknowledged during her press briefing. “This is consistent with 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 and the president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here.”

Lucy Chapman