Pulmonary embolism (PE) Tepenga ia-aurkai anō

The most common cause of a pulmonary embolism is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a blood clot that forms in a deep leg or arm vein. A DVT can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.

Deep vein thrombosis

You are at higher risk of developing a DVT, which can lead to a pulmonary embolism, if you:

• have had a DVT or blood clots before
• have been immobile or on bed rest due to being unwell or having an operation
• are older
• are pregnant or have recently given birth
• take the pill or hormone replacement
• smoke
• are very overweight
• have recently been on a flight or journey of more than 4 hours.

You can have different symptoms depending on how big the clot is and where in the lung it goes to. Small pulmonary embolisms do not always cause symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• breathlessness
• chest pain, often when you breathe in
• coughing up blood
• fast heartbeat
• feeling faint
• collapsing.

Without quick treatment, a pulmonary embolism can cause heart or lung damage, and it can be fatal. 

Your healthcare provider will assess all your symptoms and risk factors and decide how likely it is that you have a pulmonary embolism.

If they think you may have one, you will need either:

• a CT scan of your lung (a type of x-ray that shows pictures of structures inside your body)
• a ventilation-perfusion lung scan (a test that shows how much blood is getting into your lungs).

You may also need other tests including:

• blood tests
• an ECG (heart tracing)
• a chest x-ray.

Scans and x-rays

A pulmonary embolism needs to be treated immediately.

Blood thinning (anticoagulant) medicines are used to:

• stop the clot from getting bigger
• stop new clots from forming.

You may start with blood thinning injections for the first few days and then switch to tablets.

Anticoagulants — Healthifyexternal link

How long you will need to take blood thinning medication will vary depending on the cause of your pulmonary embolism and your risk factors. You may need to stay on the treatment for life.

If you have a severe pulmonary embolism, you may be given medication to dissolve the clot.

Very rarely, the clot may be removed by surgery. Sometimes a filter may be placed in a vein to stop more clots moving to your lungs.

You can reduce your risk of a pulmonary embolism by following the advice on reducing your risk of getting a DVT. 

Reducing your risk of deep vein thrombosis