What is Pulmonary Embolism?

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets wedged into an artery in your lungs. These blood clots most commonly originate in the deep veins of your legs, but they can also come from other parts of your body. This condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

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Also known as venous thromboembolism, Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Pulmonary Embolisms, embolism, pulmonary, blood clots in the lung, Pulmonary Thromboembolisms
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Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. It usually comes from smaller vessels in the leg, pelvis, arms, or heart. When a clot forms in the legs or arms, it is referred to as a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The clot travels through the vessels of the lung continuing to reach smaller vessels until it becomes wedged in a vessel that is too small to allow it to continue farther. The clot gets wedged and prevents any further blood from traveling to that section of the lung.

Blood Clots in the Lung

A pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The cause is usually a blood clot in the leg called a deep vein thrombosis that breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lung. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can cause If a clot is large, or if there are many clots, pulmonary embolism can cause death.

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Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in your lungs become blocked. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to your lungs from another part of your body most commonly, your legs.

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Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary (PUL-mo-ner-ee) embolism (EM-boh-lizm) is the sudden blockage of an artery (blood vessel) in the lungs by an embolus. An embolus is usually a blood clot, but may also be fat, air, or tumor cells that are in the blood stream. With a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot may break loose from the blood vessels of the legs. The clot goes to the lungs where it plugs or blocks a blood vessel. The embolism can cut off the blood supply to that part of the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition. Chances of survival are better with early diagnosis and treatment.

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Phlebitis: the inflammation of a vein. Cause unknown. May occur in acute or chronic infections or following operations or childbirth. Embolism: the obstruction of a blood vessel by foreign substances or a blood clot. Diagnosis depends upon predisposing factors. Embolism usually due to blood clots. Thrombosis: the formation, development, or existence of a blood clot or thrombus within the vascular system. This is a life-saving process when it occurs during hemorrhage. It is a life-threatening event when it occurs at any other time because the clot can occlude a vessel and stop the blood supply to an organ or a part. The thrombus, if detached, becomes an embolus and occludes a vessel at a distance from the original site, for example a clot in the leg may break off and cause a pulmonary (lung) embolus. Consult the doctor immediately.

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Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. About one-third of people with undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don't survive. When the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly, however, that number drops dramatically.

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Preparing for your appointment
Most cases of pulmonary embolism are initially evaluated in emergency departments or urgent care centers. If you think you might have a pulmonary embolism, you should seek immediate medical attention.

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Preventing clots in the deep veins in your legs (deep vein thrombosis) will help prevent pulmonary embolism. Some prevention measures are used in hospitals. Others are precautions you can take yourself.

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Risk factors
Although anyone can develop blood clots and subsequent pulmonary embolism, certain factors can increase your risk.

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Pulmonary embolism symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how much of your lung is involved, the size of the clot and your overall health especially the presence or absence of underlying lung disease or heart disease.

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Tests and diagnosis
Pulmonary embolism can be difficult to diagnose, especially in people who have underlying heart or lung disease. For that reason, your doctor may order a series of tests to help find the cause of your symptoms.

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Treatments and drugs
Prompt treatment of pulmonary embolism is essential to prevent serious complications or death.

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