by Erich Rosenberger M.D.

Created on: February 20, 2008   Last Updated: February 21, 2008

A pulmonary embolism is caused by an obstruction of the arteries which carry blood to the lungs. An overwhelming majority of these obstructions are actually blood clots that travel up your circulatory system from the deep veins in your lower legs. The clot will then get jammed in the smaller arteries leading in to your lungs. When this happens, the vital circulation which allows oxygen to get in to your bloodstream is impeded. A less common cause of a pulmonary embolism is known as a fat embolism. These typically begin at the site of a bone fracture and travel up in the vasculature and cause a blockage similar to a blood clot.

Pulmonary embolisms are a medical emergency. If not taken care of promptly and appropriately, they can be fatal in many cases. Because of this risk, it is important to be able to identify a pulmonary embolism and to know what puts you at risk for getting one.

Fortunately, the risk factors involved in getting a pulmonary embolism are reasonably well understood. Because up to 90% a pulmonary embolisms are caused by clots known as a deep vein thrombosis, the risk factors discussed here involve minimizing the incidence of deep vein thrombosis.

Any condition, injury, or event which causes a person to become immobile for long periods of time can increase your risk for a pulmonary embolism. When you remain bedridden, in a car, or in an airplane for a long period of time, blood will pool in your legs. When this happens, the blood has a tendency to clot. These clots can then travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. It is therefore important to get up and move about a little when you are on long trips which require you to sit for many hours at a time.

A recent history of surgery is also a risk factor for pulmonary embolism. If you had a surgery within the last three months, you are considered to be at greater risk for a pulmonary embolism.

People who have an existing malignancy (cancer) are at increased risk for a pulmonary embolism. Cancer puts your body into what is known as a hypercoaguable state. This simply means that you're blood has an increased tendency to form clots. The reason this happens is not well understood.

People with congestive heart failure, or disturbances of the normal heart rhythms, can have an increased risk for developing a pulmonary embolism. This happens because the normal flow of blood through your circulatory system is disrupted in these conditions. If your heart does not beat properly and smoothly in its normal

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