Hurts diagnosed with lung blood clots

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, the team announced Monday, October nineteen.

What bilateral pulmonary emboli means

Bilateral pulmonary emboli means blood clots are present on both Hurts' right and left lungs. Pulmonary embolism can cause permanent lung damage, low oxygen levels and organ damage.

Hurts will miss additional games

Hurts is currently on blood thinner medications and not allowed to participate in any contact activities, including football. The Eagles expect him to make a full recovery.

“Jalen's prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery.”

How the injury started

Hurts was cleated during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on October fourth. He requested treatment for a calf blood clot on October eighth after practice.

Clot discovered after London game

Hurts traveled to London with teammates for an October eleventh game against Jacksonville Jaguars. A follow-up ultrasound after that game revealed movement in the small blood clot.

Superficial clots and risk factors

Superficial blood clots involve veins closest to the skin. Risk factors include prior injury, prolonged travel, recent surgery, certain oral contraceptives, cancer history or clotting disorders.

Untreated clots can become serious

If left untreated, a superficial blood clot can become a deep blood clot, increasing risk of pulmonary embolism, which can lead to death, shortness of breath, chest pain or unconsciousness.

Treatment and recovery timeline

Anticoagulant medications, also known as blood thinners, are most commonly used to treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Hurts will resume contact football when off blood thinners.