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- A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lung, usually due to a blood clot that traveled to the lung from the leg.
- In most cases, pulmonary embolism is a complication of a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In DVT, blood clots form in the deep veins of the body--most often in the legs. 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.
- Each year, more than 600,000 people in the United States have a pulmonary embolism, and more than 60,000 of them die. Most of those who die do so within 30 to 60 minutes after symptoms start.
- Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common causes of death in hospitalized people who must remain in bed for a long time.
- The greatest risk for pulmonary embolism occurs in people who:
- Have or have previously had DVT
- Have previously had a pulmonary embolism.
- Pulmonary embolism occurs equally in men and women.
- Your risk for pulmonary embolism doubles every 10 years after age 60.
- More than half of people with pulmonary embolism do not have symptoms. Some have symptoms that could be due to other conditions.
- When present, the most common symptoms of pulmonary embolism are:
- Unexplained shortness of breath
- Chest pain that gets worse with a deep breath, coughing, or chest movement
- Coughing up blood.
- Your doctor will do a physical exam and several tests to decide if you have a 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 varies depending on how severe your symptoms are. Some people need immediate emergency treatment, while others can be treated as an outpatient.
- Treatment usually includes anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), such as warfarin and heparin, which help prevent clots from forming and help keep clots from getting larger.
- Preventing pulmonary embolism begins with preventing DVT.
- If you think that you have DVT or are having symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, contact your doctor immediately.
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