Pulmonary embolism is a serious disease, also known as pulmonary thrombosis, that occurs when a clot clogs one of the vessels that carry blood to the lungs, preventing oxygen from reaching tissues in the affected part of the lung.
When a pulmonary embolism occurs, it is common for a person to experience shortness of breath, accompanied by other symptoms, such as coughing and severe chest pain, especially when breathing.
- As embolism is a serious situation.
- If suspected it is very important to go quickly to the hospital to assess the case and start the most appropriate treatment.
- Which usually includes the use of anticoagulants directly in the vein.
- Oxygen therapy and.
- In some cases.
- More serious.
- Surgery.
To identify a case of pulmonary embolism, certain symptoms such as
If you have more than one of these symptoms, it is advisable to go to the emergency room or call an ambulance immediately to confirm the diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment, which, if not done quickly, can cause serious aftermath and even death.
Symptoms of pulmonary embolism can be mistaken for a heart problem, so your doctor usually uses diagnostic tests such as a blood test, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-ray, CT scan, or pulmonary angiography to confirm suspicion and begin treatment.
Although pulmonary embolism can happen to anyone, it’s more common because of certain causes, such as:
When you stay in the same position for a long time, such as lying or sitting, blood begins to build up more in one part of your body, usually on your legs. Most of the time, this buildup of blood is not a problem because when the person gets up, the blood circulates normally.
However, people who go to bed for several days or sit, such as after surgery or due to a serious illness such as a stroke, for example, have an increased risk of blood buildup starting to form clots. These clots can be transported into the bloodstream until they block a pulmonary vessel and cause an embolism.
What to do: To avoid this risk, you should exercise with all members of the body every day and change positions every 2 hours at least. For people prostrate in bed who cannot move on their own, may be advised to use anticoagulants and should be moved by someone else, performing exercises such as those shown on this list.
In addition to the postoperative period of surgery to decrease the level of physical activity and increase the risk of clots, surgery itself can also cause a pulmonary embolism. During surgery, several venous lesions can interfere with the passage of blood and cause a clot that can be transported to the lungs.
What to do: It is important to respect the entire postoperative in the hospital to keep the doctor’s continuous observation that can act as soon as the first signs of problems appear. At home, it is recommended to use medications indicated by your doctor, especially blood thinners, such as warfarin or aspirin.
People with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) have a high risk of developing clots that can be transported to other organs, such as the brain and lungs, resulting in serious complications such as embolisms or strokes.
What to do: To avoid complications you should follow the treatment indicated by your doctor, which usually includes the use of blood thinners. See how deep vein thrombosis is treated.
Making a journey of more than 4 hours, whether by plane, car or boat, for example increases the risk of having a clot because you spend a lot of time in the same position. However, in the aircraft, this risk may increase due to pressure differences that can make the blood more viscous, increasing the ease of clot formation.
What to do: On long trips, such as flying, it is advisable to lift or move your legs at least every 2 hours.
Fractures are one of the main causes of pulmonary embolism because when a bone ruptures, it can damage several blood vessels, in addition to the time it takes to rest for the fracture to heal. These lesions can not only lead to the formation of clots, but also to the entry of air or fat into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of embolism.
What to do: Avoid dangerous activities, such as climbing, and maintain adequate protections in high-impact sports to try to avoid a fracture. After surgery to correct the fracture, the person should try to move, as directed by the doctor or physical therapist.
Although pulmonary embolism can occur in one of the above situations, it is more common in people with risk factors such as:
Pulmonary embolism is a rare condition, even in people taking the birth control pill; However, it is important to know what signs this problem may indicate.
Treatment of pulmonary embolism includes the administration of oxygen to the individual through a mask, medications in the vein to undo the piston, such as heparin, which will dissolve the blood clot that prevents the passage of blood, and painkillers.
Treatment of pulmonary embolism usually requires hospitalization that can last a few weeks or months. Surgery to remove a thrombus may be indicated in the most severe cases or when a blockage of blood circulation occurs due to a foreign body or a piece of bone, for example.
Learn more about treating pulmonary embolism.