President Donald Trump said he takes a higher dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend, blaming it for the bruises on his hands that have again drawn attention to his health. The remarks came during an interview with The Wall Street Journal published on Thursday.“They tell you aspirin is good for thinning the blood, and I don’t want thick blood running through my heart,” Trump, 79, said. “I want thin blood flowing through my heart. Does that make sense?”“I Want Thin Blood,” Trump Explains Why He Ignores Doctors’ AdviceTrump said his doctors prefer that he take a smaller dose, but he has chosen otherwise. “They’d rather I take the smaller one. I take the larger one. I’ve done it for years,” he said, adding that bruising is a known side effect, as per CNNBruising, Makeup, and Bandages Renew Questions About Trump’s HealthThe interview marked one of Trump’s most detailed discussions with journalists about his health in recent years. Scrutiny has grown as questions persist about his age, stamina, and how transparent the White House has been about his medical condition.Bruising on Trump’s right hand has been visible for months. CNN previously reported that it existed before his return to the White House. The issue drew more attention after Trump appeared to conceal the marks with makeup or bandages and often shielded his hand from cameras. Observers have also pointed to swelling in his legs and moments where he appeared to doze during public events.Trump’s Doctor Confirms President Takes 325 mg of Aspirin DailyTrump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that the president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin each day. According to the Mayo Clinic, low-dose aspirin therapy typically ranges from 75 to 100 milligrams, with 81 milligrams being the most commonly advised dose. The clinic notes that aspirin therapy can fall anywhere between 75 and 325 milligrams daily.What Is Aspirin Used For?Aspirin is widely used to thin the blood and reduce clot formation, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, it also increases the risk of bleeding. In recent years, medical guidelines have moved away from recommending daily aspirin for many adults, as the potential harms often outweigh the benefits. Some experts advise discontinuing aspirin entirely in people in their 70s.Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences and former cardiologist to Vice President Dick Cheney, said the explanation offered by Trump and his team raises further questions.“It’s uncommon to see that kind of bruising with one aspirin a day,” Reiner said. “The question becomes whether the president is taking medications that have not been disclosed by the White House.”White House Says Trump Is in “Exceptional Health”Barbabella said on Thursday that Trump remains in excellent condition. In a statement to CNN, he said the president’s medical evaluations and lab results show strong metabolic health and that his cardiovascular condition is comparable to someone 14 years younger. “Overall, the President remains in exceptional health and fully capable of carrying out his duties as Commander in Chief,” Barbabella said.Bruising Also Seen on Trump’s Left Hand During Recent EventsAt several public appearances last week, Trump appeared with light discoloration or bruising on the back of his left hand as well, in addition to the more persistent bruising on his right hand. As per CNN, the White House has previously attributed the right-hand bruising to frequent handshaking combined with aspirin use, which can make bruises more likely to appear.Why Daily High-Dose Aspirin Is Rarely RecommendedReiner said that while 325 milligrams is not considered an extreme dose, there is no clear medical reason to take that amount every day. He explained that people with acute injuries, such as a sprained ankle, may be prescribed 325 milligrams every four hours, which would be considered a high dose.“Aspirin has been studied at many doses,” Reiner said, as per NBC News. “Eighty-one milligrams offers the best balance between reducing clot risk and limiting bleeding. A higher dose increases bleeding risk without improving effectiveness. That’s why we don’t use it.”He added that the broader concern is a lack of transparency. “All of this highlights how opaque the White House has been about the president’s health.”Trump Clarifies October Medical Scan Was a CT, Not an MRIDuring the interview, as per CNN, Trump also discussed a medical scan he underwent in October. At the time, he told reporters it was an MRI but declined to provide details, directing questions to his doctors.Speaking to the Journal, Trump clarified that the scan was a CT. “It wasn’t an MRI,” he said. “It was less than that. It was a scan.” Barbabella said the CT scan was done “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues.” Last month, he released a memo stating that imaging of Trump’s cardiovascular and abdominal systems showed “perfectly normal” results.In 2018, however, Trump underwent a coronary CT scan that revealed plaque buildup in his arteries, indicating moderate heart disease.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s disclosures, saying the president’s doctors have always confirmed he received advanced imaging. She added that Trump himself has shared additional details and described him as “the most transparent and open president in history,” while criticizing former President Joe Biden.Trump Addresses Leg Swelling Linked to Chronic Venous InsufficiencyTrump also spoke about swelling in his lower legs, which the White House announced in July was caused by chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition among older adults. Trump said he tried compression socks but stopped using them. “I didn’t like them,” he told the Journal.He also suggested he has little interest in regular exercise. “I just don’t like it. It’s boring,” Trump said. “Walking or running on a treadmill for hours, that’s not for me.” The Journal questioned Trump about moments where he appeared to fall asleep during public appearances. During a Cabinet meeting last month, Trump closed his eyes for several seconds at a time. A similar moment occurred during a November 6 event in the Oval Office.Trump denied falling asleep. “I just close my eyes. It’s very relaxing to me,” he said. “Sometimes they take a picture when I’m blinking, and that’s what people see.”President Downplays Hearing ConcernsAsked about his hearing, Trump said he only struggles when many people are talking at once and dismissed broader concerns. Before and after the election, Trump repeatedly questioned Biden’s fitness to serve, even suggesting Biden was unaware of documents signed in his name using an autopen. Biden has denied the claim.Biden later exited the 2024 presidential race following a widely criticized debate performance that intensified concerns about his health and ability to remain in office.