President Donald Trump revealed in an exclusive Wall Street Journal interview that he takes a higher dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend—a practice he says causes visible bruising on the back of his hands. The 79-year-old president, who has long exhibited hand bruising, attributed the condition to his elevated aspirin intake during Thursday’s discussion, which marked one of his most detailed public conversations about health concerns.
“ heating blood,” Trump said in the interview. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart.” He added that while medical professionals advise smaller doses for cardiovascular prevention, he has taken a larger amount “for years” to ensure thinner blood flow.
The president’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed Trump consumes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily. This exceeds the Mayo Clinic’s recommended low dose range of 75 to 100 milligrams for heart protection, though it falls within typical therapeutic limits for aspirin therapy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously explained that bruising on Trump’s hand resulted from “minor soft tissue irritation” caused by frequent hand-shaking and aspirin side effects. She also stated the president has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency—a common condition in older adults—which she characterized as benign. All medical evaluations, including echocardiograms and blood tests, showed results within normal limits.
Trump’s staff reported he underwent a “comprehensive” examination for swelling in his legs and hand bruising this week. Leavitt emphasized the president remains “in excellent health,” with no signs of heart failure or systemic illness detected during assessments.
