Medically reviewed by Robert J. Anderson, MD, RVT, RPVI, on March 26, 2025
March Madness is an exciting time for basketball fans – cheering on our favorite teams, buzzer-beaters, upsets, and busted brackets. But as the nation watches college athletes push their limits on the court, it’s worth remembering that even the many elite players face a hidden health risk. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in a deep vein – can strike anyone, even star athletes, and become life-threatening if not caught early.
This blog will explore how DVT has impacted real athletes, what chronic venous insufficiency is and how, if left unchecked, it can lead to DVT, what warning signs to watch for, and why early detection and treatment are a slam dunk for your overall health.
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts—the proud home of the Basketball Hall of Fame—Center for Vein Restoration’s Springfield vein clinic delivers expert vein care just minutes from where basketball legends are honored.
Leading the Springfield clinic is Robert J. Anderson, MD, RVT, RPVI, a board-certified vascular surgeon with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating vein disease. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply someone dealing with leg pain, swelling, or visible varicose veins, Dr. Anderson and his skilled team provide compassionate, state-of-the-art care to help you stay active and protect your long-term health.
✅To schedule an appointment with Dr. Anderson in Springfield, MA, CLICK HERE
✅If you would like to schedule an appointment at any of Center to Vein Restoration’s 110+ vein centers, CLICK HERE or call 240-965-3915.
Professional and college basketball players have recently had their careers interrupted – or even ended – by blood clots. During the height of 2025’s March Madness, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was ruled out indefinitely due to a blood clot in his right calf. Lillard had reportedly been experiencing soreness and underwent imaging, which revealed the presence of a clot.
The seven-time All-Star now joins a growing list of basketball players whose careers—and lives—have been directly impacted by venous health issues.
In early 2025, Victor Wembanyama, a rising NBA star, was suddenly sidelined for the rest of his season after being diagnosed with DVT in his shoulder.
Chris Bosh, an NBA Hall of Famer, was at the peak of his career when he learned in 2016 that he had a serious blood clot in his leg. Despite treatment, the clotting issues forced him to stop playing, and the Miami Heat eventually retired his jersey.
These real-life cases demonstrate that blood clots can affect athletes at all levels, from the NCAA tournament to the NBA finals. If it can happen to the fittest basketball stars, it can happen to anyone – which is why awareness is key.
The stories of these athletes underscore a crucial point: recognizing a DVT early can save your life
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), America's largest physician-led vein center dedicated to treating chronic venous insufficiency, offers a DVT rule-out service for individuals who suspect they may have a deep vein thrombosis. This one-stop management approach helps those concerned about their DVT risk avoid a lengthy and costly trip to the emergency room.
The DVT rule-out appointment includes a scan, treatment with anticoagulation, education, and follow-up as needed. Call the DVT hotline at 877-SCAN-DVT (877-722-6388).
Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis may seem unrelated, but they’re often connected by a deeper issue: chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI occurs when the valves in the leg veins malfunction, causing blood to pool and increasing the risk of clot formation.
While varicose veins are visible signs of chronic venous insufficiency (also known as vein disease), they may also indicate a higher risk of developing DVT, which involves the formation of dangerous clots in deeper veins. In some cases, clots can even form in the surface veins—a condition known as superficial thrombophlebitis—which can progress to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if left untreated.
Don’t let uncertainty slow you down—trust the leaders in vein health at CVR.
Blood clots can be silent but dangerous—and waiting can be deadly. Besides blood clots, untreated chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can lead to other problems, including leg ulcers, swelling (lymphedema), and skin changes.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offers fast, expert evaluation for chronic venous insufficiency. With specialists who treat nothing but vein disease, CVR delivers focused, advanced care you can count on. Make your health a priority. Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR location near you today.
CVR accepts a wide range of insurance providers, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and others.
It’s easy to ignore achy legs or leg fatigue after a long day. Athletes, in particular, might shrug off symptoms, but certain signs should never be overlooked. Common signs of a possible DVT or vein problem include:
It’s important to note that DVTs don’t always announce themselves with dramatic symptoms. In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 30 percent of people with DVT have no symptoms or have symptoms so mild that it doesn’t raise concern.
That’s why any persistent leg swelling or pain should be evaluated by a medical professional, especially if you have risk factors like recent long travel or prolonged sitting.
A blood clot in your leg is dangerous on its own, but the biggest danger arises if it travels to your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE)—when a piece of the clot breaks loose and lodges in the lung’s arteries
PE can cause sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, a racing heartbeat, or coughing up blood. It is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care. In fact, according to Yale Medicine, blood clots (DVT and PE together) affect up to 900,000 Americans each year and kill up to 100,000 people annually.
That’s why every DVT needs prompt attention.
Getting evaluated for a blood clot doesn’t have to mean sitting for hours in a hospital waiting room. CVR’s DVT rule-out service offers fast, expert care for suspected clots.
Call 877-SCAN-DVT (877-722-6388) to get peace of mind—or life-saving treatment.
Treatment for DVT often involves anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) to stop the clot from growing and to reduce the chance of new clots. In some cases, procedures or surgery might be needed to remove or dissolve a large clot. The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances of avoiding complications, such as pulmonary embolism (PE) or long-term vein damage.
Early detection starts with listening to your body. Don’t dismiss persistent leg swelling or pain as just a sprain or overuse injury, and don’t try to “play through it” if symptoms are getting worse.
From the NBA court to your everyday routine, blood clots can strike without warning. If you notice any unusual leg symptoms—such as pain, heaviness, or swelling—have them checked by a medical expert. Center for Vein Restoration is America’s most trusted name in vein care, with over 110 locations and board-certified specialists who focus solely on vein health. Don’t dismiss your symptoms. Let CVR get you the answers you need—and peace of mind to live life to the fullest.
1. What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. It can be life-threatening if the clot travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
2. Can young, healthy people get blood clots?
Yes. Even elite athletes like Damian Lillard and Chris Bosh have had career-threatening blood clots. Risk factors include travel, injury, dehydration, and underlying vein disease.
3. What are the warning signs of a DVT?
Watch for leg pain, swelling in one leg, warmth, redness, or visible veins. Any unexplained leg symptoms should be evaluated right away.
4. How is Center for Vein Restoration different from the ER?
CVR offers same-day or next-day DVT evaluations, ultrasounds, and treatment—without the long wait times or costs of a hospital emergency room.
5. Is leg pain a normal sign of aging?
Leg pain—especially if it involves swelling, heaviness, or visible veins—can be a sign of underlying vein disease. A vein specialist can diagnose your leg concerns and offer minimally invasive outpatient treatments to improve your comfort, circulation, and overall health. Call 240-965-3915
to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR location near you today.
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