10 Things To Know About A Superficial Blood Clot Diagnosis

Health scares can arrive at any time, and most importantly at anyone’s doorstep. We learned that recently with the shocking news of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis, which has forced him to sit out the remainder of the current NFL season.

His health status was shared with fans on Monday (October 19) in a joint statement from the Eagles and his agent, Nicole Lynn. Based on the statement (seen below), it’s understood that Hurts is currently on blood thinners to combat a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, originally thought to be a superficial vein thrombosis in the left calf.

RELATED: Jalen Hurts Out For Season With Multiple Blood Clots

“The risk of superficial blood clot progressing to a deep vein thrombosis and/or a pulmonary embolism can vary depending on the risk factors of the individual, and especially the risk factors of the clot,” said Dr. Jordan K. Schaefer in a report by ESPN, relegating it to factors like length of the clot, where it is anatomically and ultimately how close it is to the deep vein system. She also stated, “All of these superficial blood clots have some degree of risk of progressing to a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and that’s why the follow-up is so important to monitor people over time and assess for clots that start as superficial vein thrombosis and turn into a deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism.”

While the term “superficial” can make it seem less important in comparison to a DVT, in reality it should be treated more like an early warning sign towards a far more severe diagnosis. It’s believed that 10% of patients diagnosed with superficial clots will experience the clot moving to the deep-vein system, so quick detection can be the key factor that saves a life. Whether you’re a Super Bowl Champion QB or a regular 9-to-5 civilian, it’s worth knowing the essentials to getting ahead of a health issue that clearly doesn’t discriminate in its path.

Take a look below to get familiar on 10 important things to know when it comes to understanding a superficial blood clot diagnosis:

Know The Terms

A superficial venous thrombosis, also abbreviated as SVT, is a clot that develops in a vein closer to the skin’s surface. If untreated, it is often seen as the first stage towards deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which forms in larger veins farther below the surface and can also trigger a pulmonary embolism to the lungs with fatal results.