Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, but quick, efficient treatment can reduce the risk of death. Taking strict measures to prevent blood clots in your legs can also help protect you from developing pulmonary embolism.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
Symptoms of pulmonary embolism depends a number of issues, including the size of the blood clot lodged in the arteries, how much of the actual lung is involved, and whether there is underlying lung or heart disease. Symptoms include:
- Chest pain: The pain may be so bad that you may feel like you’re having a heart attack. The pain can get worse if you take deep breaths, cough, or bend over—it might not even go away when you rest.
- Cough: The cough may produce bloody or blood-streaked mucus.
- Shortness of breath: This symptom usually happens suddenly and can get worse with physical exertion.
Other common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Clammy or discolored skin
- Leg pain or swelling
Causes of Pulmonary Embolism
Keep in mind that elements other than blood clots can form blockages within the blood vessels in the lungs, including:
- Air bubbles: Air bubbles can get trapped in a blood vessel and prevent blood flow to the lungs.
- Tumor: Small parts of a cancerous tumor may break off, causing a disruption in blood flow.
- Fat: Fat from within the marrow of a broken bone.
Risk Factors of Pulmonary Embolism
1. Medical history: If pulmonary embolism runs in the family, you are at a higher risk of getting it. Other medical conditions may increase your risk as well. For example, heart disease, specifically heart failure, can make blood clot formation more likely. Cancer, in particular cancers that spread easily to other parts of the body, can increase substances that help form blood clots. Chemotherapy and the medications tamoxifen and raloxifene also contribute to a higher risk of blood clots.
2. Prolonged immobility: Blood clots are more prone to occur in your legs when you are inactive. For example, sitting in a cramped position in a plane or a car for a long period of time can slow blood flow and lead to blood clots in the legs. Furthermore, if you have been ordered to stay in bed for a long period of time (such as after surgery or due to a serious illness) you may be more susceptible to blood clots, because of the low blood circulation flowing through your legs.
3. Surgery: Surgery is one of the leading causes of troublesome blood clots, particularly hip or knee surgery. During surgical preparation, tissue debris may enter the bloodstream and contribute to the blood clot.
4. Extra weight: Extra weight can increase the risk of blood clots, especially for women who have high blood pressure and who smoke.
5. Pregnancy: A baby’s weight can press on the veins and slow blood return from the legs. Blood clots have a higher chance of forming when blood slows.
6. Smoking: Tobacco use makes some people more susceptible to blood clot formation.
Treatments for Pulmonary Embolism
Certain treatments can help prevent new blood clots from forming. Your doctor will prescribe the right treatment for you; it should be done promptly to avoid serious complications:
- Blood thinners: Blood thinners will help prevent new blood clots from forming while the body works to break up the clots. Some blood thinners can be given by injection through a vein or inserted under the skin.
- Clot dissolvers: These are medications that are given through the vein to help dissolve clots fast. These medications can cause severe bleeding, so are typically reserved for life-threatening situations.
- Clot removal: Your doctor may remove a large, life-threatening blood clot using a catheter—a thin, flexible tube that is inserted through your blood vessels.
Source for Today’s Article:
“Pulmonary embolism,” Mayo clinic web site, March 18, 2015; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-embolism/basics/treatment/con-20022849.