Pulmonary Embolism Can Affect Elite Athletes, Too: Samantha Pettigrew, MD

Pulmonary embolism can affect anyone, including elite athletes, said Samantha Pettigrew, MD, assistant professor of clinical thoracic medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. In an interview at CHEST 2026, Pettigrew, who is not involved in Jalen Hurts’ care, discussed how pulmonary emboli develop, common risk factors, and what treatment and recovery typically involve following the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback’s diagnosis.

How Pulmonary Emboli Develop

Pulmonary emboli are blood clots in the lung arteries that usually start in the leg, triggered by a clotting disorder, trauma, or prolonged stillness. They can happen to anyone, including elite athletes. Muscle damage and inflammation can make clots easier to form, and an injured leg often means less movement. Other transient risk factors include hospital stays, cancer, surgery, and travel. CHEST guidelines count plane rides longer than 4 hours among them.

“I’m wondering if the combination of the injury to his calf in addition to the long plane ride may have just provided like a perfect storm for this to develop,” Pettigrew said.

Treatment and Return to Play

Treatment is the same for athletes and everyone else: at least 3 months of blood thinners. Clinicians also check for strain on the heart. Pettigrew noted that news reports suggest Hurts’ heart was not strained and he is on blood thinners alone, a sign the clot burden is likely small. When a clot stems from transient risk factors, patients can often stop blood thinners after 3 to 6 months with their physician’s approval.

Whether Hurts needs lifelong anticoagulation, and how he feels given the anxiety this diagnosis often brings, will likely shape whether he returns.

“I don’t think you’re allowed to play football when you’re on a blood thinner. It’s a dangerous enough sport already,” Pettigrew said.