I asked three doctors about Donald Trump's health and one voiced major concern

President Donald Trump is embarking on a three-day state visit to the UK today, six years after his first in 2019. The 'unprecedented' second visit comes at a time of great political unrest, both in the USA and in the UK.

However, of greater focus than the political health of the "special relationship" will be Trump's actual health. Since he took office earlier this year, he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, been spotted with swollen ankles, had bruising on his right hand that he now covers up, and was even spotted with a drooping mouth as recently as this month.

The White House has maintained, like the Biden administration before it, that it's 79-year-old leader will serve his full term. Trump passed his first medical earlier this year and was passed fit to work from a physical and psychological standpoint.

Ahead of his arrival, the Daily Express spoke to three doctors about their verdict on Trump's recent physiological slips, and what this means for the future.

Dr Jeff Foster

Dr Jeff Foster, a private health GP and medical director of manual, is the most concerned about Trump's health. He said that recent incidents, including Trump seemingly being unable to hear at a recent event, are signs of something serious brewing underneath his near octogenarian skin and mirror the frailty Biden showed in his final months in office.

He explained: "Certainly it is fair to say that Trump has become increasingly frail in the last few months. In a similar way to how Biden appeared to be less sharp and coherent during his final years of the presidency due to underlying illness, we are starting to see a similar picture with Trump.

"His repeated small errors could easily be a sign of something more significant in his health. The recent events highlighting odd physical signs in President Trump have highlighted potential serious underlying medical problems."

Dr Foster added: "These include the fact he appears to not have understood comment during a recent interview, the fact he has had unusual markings on the back of his hand and then now combined with a one-sided facial droop.

"These could all just be random separate incidents but medicine tends not to work that way and most of the time conditions do tend to be linked the biggest concern in this case especially in terms of the drooping lip would be a recent cardiovascular/neurological event such as a stroke or mini stroke.

"No matter the underlying cause these are serious medical conditions that could have significant impact on the president's ability to govern and also his general thought processes and cognition."

However, Dr Foster has also caveated that some of these incidents may not be something medically malicious, but in fact just a result of someone getting older and ageing.

Specifically commenting Trump's hearing problems, Dr Foster explained it could be down to age-related hearing loss. He added: "In a crowded room with lots of distractions, it can be hard to focus on a single sound so he may lean in to seek clarity from her words."

The expert also pointed out that dementia affects "about 5%" of Trump's age group which could mean his cognitive function "may not be as it was".

He added: "Finally, at 79, various other health problems can have an impact on our cognition and our ability to concentrate in a way we are more resilient too when we are younger. For example, just having a cough or cold can make it hard to concentrate and focus when we age."

Dr William Shutze

Texas Vascular Associates' Dr William Shutze echoed Dr Foster's concerned sentiments with regards to the drooping face and chronic venous insufficiency.

He said: "I cannot comment on the photo showing President Trump's potentially drooping face, or if he may have experienced a stroke.

"However, it's important to note that a drooping face combined with vascular issues is a serious medical concern that often indicates a stroke.

"Chronic venous insufficiency is mostly just an annoying problem for people since it is a non-life-threatening issue. However, if vascular conditions like CVI are not treated properly, they have potential to develop into more serious health consequences.

"In the case that other health conditions are present and contributing to the President's ankle swelling there could be cause for concern about his overall health."

As well as commenting Trump's overall health and confirmed diagnoses, Dr Shutze also suggested an alternative diagnosis. He said: "Immediate medical attention is necessary if a person suddenly experiences a facial droop or other signs of a stroke.

"Another potential cause for a drooping face is Bell's Palsy. While not an emergency, consultation with a medical professional is recommended."

According to the NHS, Bells' Palsy is a "temporary weakness or lack of movement that usually affects one side of the face". Other symptoms can include:

• A drooping eyelid or corner of your mouth
• Drooling
• Dry mouth
• Loss of taste
• A dry or watering eye

Dr Michael Aziz

The third medical professional the Express spoke to was Dr Michael Aziz, the attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

He was the most cautious to criticise Trump's physical health, and provided praise on his neurological state.

Addressing the incident in which Melania needed to help Trump hear a question, he said: "The reporter voice was loud and clear, but First Lady Melania Trump had to repeat the question in his ear again and President Trump answered.

"While it appears that there was a confusion on the part of the president for a second, I do not believe President Trump has any memory or cognitive issues. His public performance shows that no issues whatsoever.

"His performance is well above any mental or neurological test that can be done at a doctor's office. President Trump has been on top of his game and has never faltered. The only issue he had was when he said he would meet Putin in Russia versus Alaska.

"Mentally, he seems aware of latest news and recollects facts. Nothing is guaranteed in life, but he should be fine based on all the information available."

Conclusion

Whilst there is divide within the medical community over what the exact state of Trump's present and future medical state will be, what is certain is that his health will remain a topic of great interest as much during his time in the UK.