Adam’s Journal
Here’s a question from an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation coworker:
I know you love the Philadelphia Eagles. So, you were no doubt distressed when the team’s star quarterback, Jalen Hurts, was diagnosed with blood clots.
Initially, it seemed like it wasn’t any big deal – just a bruised calf muscle. But it now sounds a lot more serious: his diagnosis was upgraded to blood clots in the lungs, and his season seems to be over.
What are the symptoms of a blood clot? And how do you know when you should seek medical attention for one?
Jenny Lee
Dr. Scofield Prescribes
Although Jalen Hurts’ blood clot was first characterized as a superficial vein thrombosis – a clot in a vein close to the skin’s surface – most blood clots develop in the legs’ deeper veins. These are located farther beneath the skin, generally alongside major arteries and surrounded by muscles.
Deep veins are especially important because they carry almost all of the blood returning from the legs to the heart. When leg muscles contract during walking or running, they squeeze these veins, helping to push blood up to the heart – and then to the lungs.
If a clot breaks loose from a deep vein in the leg, it can follow that same route and become lodged in an artery in the lungs. This is what’s known as a pulmonary embolism, and it’s dangerous because it blocks blood flow.
Often, people won’t experience any symptoms with blood clots in the deep veins, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, telltale signs include new, unexplained swelling, pain, and warmth or redness in the leg.
Many of these symptoms overlap with more mundane causes like muscle strains. But if you experience them, seek medical attention, ideally that same day. Don’t attempt to determine if it’s DVT or something less dangerous; let your healthcare provider make that call.
If you have sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain, severe lightheadedness, fainting, or coughing up blood, call 911. These are all signals that you may have a pulmonary embolism – a DVT that’s now blocking arteries in your lungs – and that you need immediate medical care.
As Hurts’ case demonstrates, even a young, elite athlete can develop dangerous blood clots, so vigilance is in order for all of us. And certain genetic factors can predispose people to DVT, and much of the work identifying those factors was done by two scientists here in Oklahoma: OMRF’s own Dr. Chuck Esmon, and Dr. Phil Comp at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.
Blood clots can be treated with blood thinners, and that appears to be what’s happening with Hurts. He cannot play football during that course of therapy, but if it’s successful, I’d expect to see him on the field again next season.
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Dr. Hal Scofield is a physician-scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and he also serves as Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. Adam Cohen is OMRF’s senior vice president and general counsel. Send your health questions to contact@omrf.org.
