Woman Shares Experience with Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Like Trump

A woman diagnosed with the same health condition as former President Donald Trump has shared her struggles with chronic fatigue. Mariya Ali, a 77-year-old research technologist from Cleveland, Ohio, revealed that her condition, known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), leaves her feeling exhausted and heavy-legged, particularly in the mornings.

Mariya first noticed symptoms of CVI during her teenage years, attributing the visible veins on her legs to her fair skin. As she aged, the appearance of spider veins and blue veins on her thighs and below her knees became more pronounced. After years of feeling fatigued and experiencing discomfort, she sought help from a vascular cardiologist in January 2025. An ultrasound confirmed her diagnosis of CVI, a condition where leg veins are damaged, hindering proper blood flow.

On July 17, 2025, the White House announced that Trump had also been diagnosed with CVI after experiencing “mild swelling” in his lower legs. This revelation has brought attention to a condition that affects many individuals yet often goes unrecognized.

Mariya is currently undergoing treatment, including laser therapy for her veins, and consistently wears compression tights to alleviate her symptoms. She shared her experience, stating, “I can feel heaviness in my legs. I feel fatigued like I have been walking around all day.” The condition has impacted her daily life, making mornings particularly challenging. “Sometimes when I wake up, I feel pain and fatigue. Even though venous insufficiency is just in my legs, it radiates through my body,” she added.

Despite raising concerns with various physicians over the years, Mariya felt her symptoms were often dismissed. “I’ve had symptoms for a very long time. The first symptoms I saw were when I was a teenager. As I got older, I noticed the symptoms were getting worse,” she explained. Doctors frequently advised her to wear compression stockings, but little else was done to investigate her condition.

After receiving her diagnosis, Mariya felt a sense of relief. “Whenever you have a persistent condition that you have dealt with your whole life, and someone puts a name to it, you get a sense of relief,” she said. She emphasized the importance of public figures discussing health issues, stating, “I think it is really important for people in high-profile positions to raise awareness.”

Mariya believes that those with visibility have a responsibility to inform others about their health conditions. “If you are high profile and you have this condition, it is your obligation to raise awareness around it,” she concluded.

By sharing her experience, Mariya hopes to encourage discussions about CVI and advocate for further research funding. As awareness grows, the hope is that more individuals will seek the medical attention they need and find relief from conditions that often remain undiagnosed for far too long.