When Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado saw “extreme swelling” in her leg this week, she went to the hospital. Her campaign said that Boebert was given the diagnosis of May-Thurner syndrome by doctors who did some tests.
The little-known syndrome happens when the right iliac artery, which is in the abdomen, pulls on the left iliac vein. The left iliac vein carries blood from the left leg to the heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That pressure can stop the legs’ blood from getting to them.
A blood clot, also known as a deep vein thrombosis, can form in the legs if blood can’t get back to the heart.
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One sign that something was wrong for Boebert was “severe swelling in her upper left leg,” according to her campaign.
The left leg is usually affected by the disease. Other signs on the left leg are pain, stiffness, discoloration, swelling, or sores.
People don’t usually know what May-Thurner syndrome is called, but the condition isn’t very uncommon either. According to a medical magazine article from 2012, about 1 in 5 people have this type of vein compression, but a lot of them are not diagnosed. It might not be recognized unless someone gets blood clots.
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Cleveland Clinic says that women and people between the ages of 20 and 50 are more likely to have this syndrome.
The clot was taken out during surgery on Boebert, who is 37 years old, according to her campaign. Additionally, a stent was put in place to help blood move normally.
The campaign statement says, “After taking the time to rest that doctors have prescribed, she is expected to make a full recovery with no major concerns for her long-term health and no hindrance to her ability to do her duties as a Congresswoman.”
The extreme-right Congresswoman is running for the 4th district spot on the other side of Colorado while she serves the 3rd district.
