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A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lungs that has the potential to dislodge itself and move into a major blood vessel. As the vessel is blocked, the lungs become inefficient in their ability to exchange oxygen. Depending on the size of the clot and where it is, a pulmonary embolism can be potentially fatal. It's important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism so that you can obtain medical treatment as quickly as possible.

Symptoms:

-Dizzyness

-S hortness of breath or rapid breathing

-chest pain (either general or localized)

-chest tenderness

-fast pulse

-slight fever (sometimes)

Who is at Risk?

Anyone who has recently undergone major surgery of any type is potentially at risk for developing a pulmonary embolism. Usually what happens is that a clot (or thrombus) forms in the leg as a result of inactivity following surgery. When the clot manages to dislodge itself, it travels up the pelvic vein and into the major system of the blood stream where is finds refuge in the lungs.

Other people who are at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism are people who are already at risk for cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, more than half a million people per year experience a pulmonary embolism. Risk factors include:

-recent heart attack or stroke

-congestive heart failure

-obesity

-phlebitis

-chro nic illness (including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia or blood disorders)

-women who take oral contraceptives

-people who have recently quit smoking

What to do?

As discussed above, there are many symptoms associated with a pulmonary embolism. The most serious of these symptoms is shortness of breath and accompanying chest pain, needs to be immediately addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. Call for an ambulance or have a family member drive you to an emergency room immediately. The longer you wait to treat a pulmonary embolism, the more likely you are to experience complications. Statistics show that 10 percent of all pulmonary embolisms are fatal.

During an embolism, the pulmonary artery becomes blocked, preventing blood flow to the lungs. Eventually lung tissue begins to die off. Hemoptysiscoughing up blood stained mucusis evidence that lung tissue has been traumatized or died. Not all clots are in the pulmonary artery. They can be elsewhere in the lungs as well. Larger blockages are more difficult to treat and are more threatening, as they can cause a rapid decrease in a person's oxygen saturation. At this point supplemental oxygen is needed and blood-thinning medication is administered to dissolve the clot. Sometimes surgery is required to remove the embolism.

Learn more about this author, Lauren Beyenhof.
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