Camilla Jessen
Donald Trump’s health has been a hot topic for months.
Donald Trump’s health has sparked widespread discussion in recent months.
Growing questions about Trump’s health
Critics and opponents have suggested the 79-year-old president may be showing signs of dementia, while photos of swollen ankles and bruised hands have fueled speculation about his physical decline.
The White House has maintained that the marks on Trump’s hands come from frequent handshakes and that the swelling in his legs is a benign condition.
A vascular condition
In July, Trump underwent a comprehensive vascular examination with the White House Medical Unit after reports of swelling in his lower legs.
His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed that Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a common issue in older adults that affects blood flow in the legs.
No evidence of heart failure
“Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” Barbabella’s report stated.
The doctor emphasized that there was no evidence of heart failure, kidney disease, or systemic illness, and Trump’s lab results were “within normal limits.”
Dr. Aseem Malhotra weighs in
Now, Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist and adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) lobby group, has shared a different view.
Speaking to The Daily Beast, Malhotra said that Trump’s symptoms may be caused by side effects of medications, rather than dementia or serious illness.
“I don’t think he has dementia”
“I have seen news reports about Donald Trump showing apparent signs of dementia, and we know that he has chronic venous insufficiency, which can cause swollen ankles and hands,” Malhotra said.
“I don’t think he has dementia—it is the side effects of statins that may be making him feel fatigued and sleepy.”
Claims about statins and aspirin
Malhotra, who has been criticized by medical organizations including the British Heart Foundation, argued that statins and aspirin may be doing Trump “more harm than good.”
He told The Daily Beast that he has shared these concerns with the Trump administration and believes stopping the medications could improve the president’s energy and overall health.
“Almost superhuman”
In a speech to the European Parliament, streamed live on the “Make Europe Healthy Again” website, Malhotra reportedly described Trump as “almost superhuman.”
“If I was his personal physician, I’d want to optimize him even further,” he said.
“The first step would be to stop his aspirin and the cholesterol-lowering medications he’s taking that are likely shortening his lifespan and giving him fatigue.”
Trump’s need for medication
Malhotra claimed that given Trump’s medical tests showing no significant vascular disease, he faces more risk from the side effects of aspirin than from the cardiovascular conditions the drug is meant to prevent.
“He is much more likely to suffer a serious life-threatening bleed from aspirin than it prevents him from having a heart attack or stroke,” Malhotra said.
Controversial adviser under scrutiny
Dr. Malhotra’s comments have drawn backlash, as he has previously been accused of spreading misinformation about vaccines and statin drugs.
Despite this, his statements have reignited debate about Trump’s health and the medications he takes.
Neither the White House nor Trump’s physician have commented on Malhotra’s claims.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
