Updated:
by
Eddie A. Fernandez, MD, RPVI
Medically reviewed by Eddie A. Fernandez, MD, RPVI, on February 22, 2026
When a blood clot sidelines a pro athlete, it quickly grabs headlines. People naturally ask, “How can someone this fit have a serious, even career-ending, circulation problem?”
To find out, we consulted Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein doctor, Dr. Eddie Fernandez to learn if there truly is a “sudden increase” in blood clots among professional athletes. What we found is simple: blood clots can affect anyone, including elite athletes and highly active adults.
In many cases, we are seeing a rise in visibility, faster testing, and more open conversations about health among elite athletes. At the same time, athletes face risk factors for blood clots that the public may not always consider, such as long travel days, injuries, dehydration, and repetitive motion.
This blog explains what blood clots are, why they can happen in healthy, physically fit athletes, and how everyday symptoms of venous insufficiency, such as leg pain, swelling, and varicose veins, can matter more than people realize.
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A blood clot is a semi-solid, gel-like clump that helps stop bleeding after an injury or surgery. Cleveland Clinic explains that clots form to seal damaged blood vessels. Problems arise when a clot forms inside a vein without a clear reason, slowing or blocking blood flow and putting your health at risk.
When clots form within deep veins, typically in the legs, the condition is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If a clot travels to the lungs, it can cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE).
Deep vein thrombosis happens when a clot forms in a deep vein, most often in the leg. A DVT may cause leg swelling, pain, warmth, or tenderness, although some people have few symptoms.
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot fragment breaks loose, travels through the bloodstream, and becomes lodged in the lungs. This can block blood flow and make breathing difficult. According to the Mayo Clinic, PE symptoms may include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and a rapid heartbeat, and that it is a medical emergency.
Research reported by the National Library of Medicine (NIH) reports that untreated PE can be deadly, as high as 30 percent of the time, while timely treatment dramatically improves outcomes to a death rate of about eight percent. That’s why Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offers a same-day DVT-rule-out service.
Skip the long wait at the ER! If you suspect DVT, call CVR’s DVT hotline at 877-SCAN-DVT (877-722-6388). If you suspect PE, call 9-1-1.
Professional athletes may seem “at low risk” because they are healthy and active. But clot risk is not just about fitness. It is often about what is happening inside the veins and blood flow.
Teams travel by plane and bus, sometimes for hours. Limited movement can slow blood flow in the legs, which raises DVT risk. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns that traveling more than 4 hours at a time, whether by plane, car, bus, or train, can increase the risk of blood clots.
They recommend that anyone in these situations try to get up and walk every hour to reduce the risk of travel-associated blood clots. Alternatively, a person can perform calf/ankle flexing exercises if getting up to walk is not possible.
Athletes get injuries. Sometimes they require surgery. Major surgery, fractures, and severe muscle injury are risk factors that can increase the chance of DVT or PE. The NIH reports that pulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of in-hospital death among trauma patients.
Intensive training, heat, and dehydration can affect circulation, particularly when combined with travel, injury, or genetic factors. A single factor may not cause a blood clot, but several together can increase the risk of one.
Some athletes, particularly those who repeatedly perform overhead movements such as pitching, swimming, or weightlifting, may develop blood clots in the veins of the upper body. Repeated motion can compress veins near the shoulder, slowing blood flow and increasing the risk of clot formation.
Johns Hopkins explains that this type of vein compression is called thoracic outlet syndrome. When a clot forms due to physical exertion, it is known as effort thrombosis, or Paget-Schroetter syndrome, a form of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Repetitive stress on the upper arms can cause axillo-subclavian vein thrombosis, another type of upper-extremity DVT that baseball players are at increased risk.
Even in peak physical condition, some athletes may have inherited clotting risks or a family history, which no amount of talent or fame can cancel out. Family history and inherited clotting disorders are among the important risk factors.
Do blood clots run in your family? Not sure if your leg symptoms are vein-related? An evaluation by a board-certified Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein specialist can provide answers and peace of mind. Find a CVR location near you and schedule a consultation today.
📍Find a Center for Vein Restoration near you HERE
Here is the part that matters to everyone, not just athletes: many serious clots start in the legs. That is why everyday vein problems should not be ignored.
Leg veins have to push blood upward against gravity. They rely on one-way valves. When valves weaken, blood can slip backward and pool in the legs. Over time, this can lead to venous insufficiency, a form of vein disease that may cause swelling, leg discomfort, varicose veins, skin changes, and even venous ulcers.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) can assess your circulation with gentle, non-invasive testing and guide you through the next steps quickly. Book a consultation with a vein expert to get answers and protect your long-term vein health.
👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple relief can be.
Many people mistakenly believe that varicose veins are purely cosmetic. They are often a visible sign of a deeper circulation issue.
Weak or damaged vein valves can lead to varicose veins. When valves do not close well, blood can pool, and veins can enlarge and twist.
A major study published in JAMA found a significant association between varicose veins and a higher risk of developing DVT. The authors concluded that whether the association between varicose veins and DVT is causal or represents a common set of risk factors requires further research.
An important takeaway from this study: having varicose veins does not necessarily mean you will develop a dangerous blood clot, but they can indicate inefficient blood flow, a risk factor for blood clots.
If you notice any of the symptoms below, do not self-diagnose. Get evaluated, especially if symptoms are new, unilateral, or worsening.
If you have ongoing leg pain, swelling, or bulging veins, it is important to determine whether a circulatory problem is the root cause.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-249-8250
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If you have varicose veins, leg pain, swelling, or heaviness, your veins may be showing early warning signs of vein disease. Center for Vein Restoration is the nation’s largest physician-led vein center, with board-certified specialists who diagnose and treat venous insufficiency using advanced, minimally invasive outpatient care.
Schedule a consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration vein expert today and take a proactive step toward healthier circulation.
Can professional athletes really get blood clots?
Yes. Blood clots can affect anyone, including elite athletes, because risk is influenced by travel, injuries, dehydration, genetics, and blood flow, not just fitness level.
Is there actually a sudden increase in blood clots among athletes?
In many cases, the increase reflects better testing, faster diagnosis, and more public discussion of athlete health. Athletes have always faced clot risks, but today those cases are more visible.
What is the difference between DVT and pulmonary embolism?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms within a deep vein, usually in the leg. If part of that clot travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Why do long trips increase blood clot risk?
Sitting still for long periods slows blood flow in the legs, which makes clots more likely to form. That is why experts recommend standing, walking, and moving your legs at least once every hour during long travel days.
Can varicose veins increase the risk of blood clots?
Varicose veins do not guarantee a blood clot, but they can signal inefficient blood flow and venous insufficiency. Research shows that people with varicose veins have a higher risk of developing DVT, especially when other risk factors are present.
What leg symptoms indicate blood clot?
Swelling in one leg, persistent pain, warmth, redness, or cramping can be warning signs of a blood clot. Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain requires immediate emergency care.
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