What is pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs.Because the clots block blood flow to the lungs, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.
However, prompt treatment greatly reduces the risk of death.
Taking measures to prevent blood clots in your legs will help protect you against pulmonary embolism.
Symptoms
Pulmonary embolism symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how much of your lung is involved, the size of the clots, and whether you have underlying lung or heart disease.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Cough.
Other signs and symptoms that can occur with pulmonary embolism include:
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- Leg pain or swelling, or both
- Clammy or discolored skin (cyanosis)
Causes
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 come from the deep veins of your legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
In many cases, multiple clots are involved in pulmonary embolism.
Occasionally, blockages in the blood vessels are caused by substances other than blood clots, such as:
- Fat from the marrow of a broken long bone
- Part of a tumor
- Air bubbles
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-embolism/symptoms-causes/syc-20354647
