Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli has thrust blood thinners into public view. The NFL says Hurts is receiving the medication and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season.

His case shows that dangerous blood clots can affect even young, physically active people. Risk can rise when factors such as an injury, long travel or recent surgery combine.

“Being in shape lowers your risk, but it doesn’t make you immune,” said Dr. Joseph V. Lombardi, chief physician executive at AtlantiCare. Hurts was diagnosed with blood clots in both lungs.

Blood thinners can help prevent dangerous clots from forming or growing. At the same time, the medication can make it more difficult for the body to stop bleeding after an injury, creating particular concern for athletes and anyone who falls or gets hurt.

“Taking [blood thinners] consistently, understanding potential interactions and recognizing warning signs can greatly reduce the risk of complications,” Dr. Yazan Abou-Ismail, a hematologist and thrombosis expert at the University of Utah, told Fox News Digital.

One mistake is changing the treatment timeline without speaking to a doctor. Some patients need blood thinners only for a limited period, while others may need to take them long term.

When a clot has a clear cause, such as an injury, treatment often lasts about three months, Lombardi told Fox News Digital. Abou-Ismail said the appropriate duration also depends on the reason for treatment and whether the patient has experienced previous clots.

Stopping treatment too soon can increase the risk of another clot. Continuing longer than prescribed may increase bleeding risk, so patients should not stop or extend treatment without first consulting a doctor.

Repeatedly missing doses can weaken the medication’s protection against clots, according to Abou-Ismail. The proper response to a missed dose depends on the specific drug, making it important for patients to follow their prescription instructions.

Patients should call a pharmacist or doctor if they are uncertain about what to do after missing a dose. They should not automatically take an extra dose to compensate for the one they missed.

Medication and supplement interactions present another potential danger. Aspirin and NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can increase bleeding risk when they are taken with blood thinners, Abou-Ismail said.

Some prescription medications and supplements can also affect bleeding or alter medication levels. Fish oil and turmeric are among the supplements that patients should discuss with a doctor or pharmacist before taking, even when a product is available over the counter.

Patients also risk complications when they dismiss bleeding symptoms. Some bruising or minor bleeding may occur, but persistent nosebleeds, blood in the urine or unexplained increases in bruising warrant a call to a health care provider, Abou-Ismail said.

More severe warning signs require urgent care. These include uncontrolled bleeding, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, a sudden severe headache, new confusion, vision changes or difficulty speaking.

A significant blow to the head also calls for medical evaluation, even when the patient initially feels fine. A hard hit or fall can cause serious bleeding in someone taking a blood thinner.

That injury risk is why Hurts cannot play football during treatment. Patients should ask their doctors which activities are safe rather than assuming they can continue every part of their normal routine.

Some patients may still be able to exercise while taking blood thinners. Contact sports and other activities carrying a greater likelihood of injury require extra caution and should be discussed with the patient’s care team.

Blood thinners do not dissolve a clot that already exists, Lombardi cautioned. Instead, they help prevent the clot from growing while the body clears it over time, and patients should contact their care team with questions about doses, side effects or safe activities.