Rep. Lauren Boebert Recovering After Emergency Surgery, Diagnosed With A Rare Disorder

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert reportedly developed a blood clot in her leg and had to undergo emergency surgery to get it out.

She was also diagnosed with May-Thurner syndrome, a rare vascular condition that impedes the free flow of blood from the leg back to the heart.

Although the cause of her blood clot remains unknown, Boebert's campaign says "dehydration, travel, and extended periods of sitting" were identified as potential factors.

The Republican Congresswoman announced in a statement shared on Tuesday that she went under the knife to remove a blood clot after she suffered swelling in her upper left leg.

The procedure took place at the UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, where doctors also added a stent to address her symptoms and diagnosed her with May-Thurner syndrome.

"After undergoing a CT Scan, doctors found an acute blood clot and diagnosed her with May-Thurner Syndrome, which is a rare condition that disrupts blood flow," the statement on Facebook from her campaign read.

Boebert's campaign has shared that possible factors for her diagnosis are "dehydration, travel, and extended periods of sitting," especially as her campaign endures.

"Women between the ages of 20 and 45 who have given birth are also more likely to have May-Thurner Syndrome," the statement added.

May-Thurner syndrome, also known as iliac vein compression syndrome, is a medical condition characterized by compression of the left iliac vein by the overlying right iliac artery.

The iliac veins carry blood from the lower extremities back to the heart, and when they are compressed, it can lead to various symptoms and complications.

Arteries move blood away from the heart, and the veins bring it back. Sometimes, arteries and veins cross over each other. Usually, that's not a problem unless one has May-Thurner syndrome, per WebMD.

The compression of the left iliac vein by the right iliac artery can cause narrowing (stenosis) or even complete blockage of the vein. This can lead to reduced blood flow from the left leg, resulting in symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, and sometimes the development of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) in the affected leg.

May-Thurner syndrome is often considered an anatomical anomaly rather than a disease. It is more commonly seen in women and may be associated with conditions such as pregnancy or the use of hormonal birth control. However, it can also occur in men and individuals without specific risk factors.

The 37-year-old two-term congresswoman went ahead to share her optimism about returning to optimal health conditions as she continues her recovery phase.

Boebert thanked her medical staff and said she was looking forward to making a full recovery and getting back to Congress to "continue fighting for Colorado."

Although the timeline for her recovery is not known, the statement disclosed that "she is expected to make a full recovery with no significant concerns for her long-term health and no hindrance to her ability to perform her duties as a Congresswoman."

Concluding her statement, Boebert expressed gratitude to her doctor and the team at the UCHealth Medical Center.

"I want to thank Dr. Rebecca Bade and the entire team at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies for their great care and providing helpful insight on my recent diagnosis," Boebert said.

Dr. Bade, a hospitalist at UCHealth, also chipped in her expectation of Boebert's recovery, saying, "We successfully performed surgery on the Congresswoman this morning and expect her to make a full recovery."

The doctor added, "Patients with May-Thurner Syndrome who undergo the procedure to restore blood flow are able to live and work just as they have in the past after a brief recovery."

Several fans and followers took to the comment section of her post to wish her a speedy recovery.

A fan wrote, "Oh, Lauren. I'm so grateful you are going to be okay! You know God is with you always. My prayers go out [to] you also. Sending my Love."

"Prayers for a safe and complete healing!" another fan shared. "Please take care of yourself and do what the doctors say. We appreciate all that you've done and will continue to do!"

A third user told Boebert to "Take this time to rest and restore in the spirit of the Lord," adding that they were "Praying for a speedy recovery and healing mercies."

A particular medical doctor explained that he has "had three patients in my career with May-Thurner syndrome, and all have done well. Get well soon."