What Is a Pulmonary Embolism?
Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage that occurs in an artery in the lung.
It usually occurs when a blood clot in a vein breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and lodges in the lung. A blood clot that forms in one part of the body and travels in the bloodstream to another part of the body is called an embolus.
Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can cause:
- Permanent damage to part of your lung from lack of blood flow to lung tissue
- Low oxygen levels in your blood
- Damage to other organs in your body from not getting enough oxygen.
If a clot is large, or if there are many clots, pulmonary embolism can cause death.
In most cases, it is a complication of a condition called deep vein thrombosis (
DVT). In DVT, blood clots form in the deep veins of the body. These clots can break free, travel to the lung, and block an artery.
More than 600,000 people in the United States have a pulmonary embolism each year, and more than 60,000 of them die. Most of those who die do so within 30 to 60 minutes after symptoms start. This type of embolism is one of the most common causes of death in hospitalized people who must remain in bed for a long time.
Who Is at Risk for Pulmonary Embolism?
People who are at the greatest risk are those who:
- Have DVT
- Have previously had DVT
- Have previously had a pulmonary embolism.
The condition occurs equally in men and women, and your risk doubles every 10 years after age 60.
More than half of people with pulmonary embolism do not have symptoms. When present, the most common symptoms are:
- Unexplained shortness of breath
- Chest pain that gets worse with a deep breath, coughing, or chest movement
- Coughing up blood.
In order for your doctor to diagnose you with pulmonary embolism, he or she will need to perform a physical exam and several tests.
Treating Pulmonary Embolism
The primary goals in treating pulmonary embolism are to keep the current clot or clots from getting bigger and to stop the development of new clots.
Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Some people need immediate emergency treatment, while other people can be treated as an outpatient.
Pulmonary embolism treatment usually includes anticoagulant medications (blood thinners). Examples of anticoagulants are
warfarin (
Coumadin®) and heparin.
Preventing pulmonary embolism begins with preventing DVT. If you think that you have DVT or if you are experiencing symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, contact your doctor immediately.
Other Names for Pulmonary Embolism
Other names include:
- PE (pulmonary embolism)
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Key information about pulmonary embolism includes the following:
- A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lung. It is usually due to a blood clot that traveled to the lung from the leg.
- In most cases, it is a complication of a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In DVT, blood clots form in the deep veins of the body. These clots can break free, travel to the lung, and block an artery.
- A pulmonary embolism blocks blood flow to part of the lung -- it can be a life-threatening condition.
- Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common causes of death in hospitalized people who must remain in bed for a long time.
