Pulmonary Embolism is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs are blocked by a blood clot. It is a life-threatening condition that is caused by a blood clot in the leg known as deep vein thrombosis that breaks free and travels via the bloodstream to the lung. Pulmonary Embolism can result in irreversible lung damage, low oxygen levels in your blood, and damage other organs as a result of the low oxygen level.
Unfortunately, diagnosing PE is challenging, especially in those who have an underlying heart or lung illness. Your doctor can make a diagnosis based on your medical history, blood tests, and imaging tests such as echocardiography, CT Pulmonary Angiography, Ventilation-Perfusion Scan (V/Q scan), Pulmonary Angiography or MRI.
Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms
Some of the Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism are:-
Shortness of breath, Chest pain
Cough, which may contain blood
Leg pain or swelled leg
Back Pain
Unreasonable sweating
Dizziness or light headedness
Blueish lips or nails
Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism
PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE) can be prevented by not allowing clot formation and this can be done so by
Lifestyle changes with healthy eating, exercise, and quitting smoking
Using compression stockings to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Moving your legs, when sitting for lengthy periods of time, or when on bed rest for medical or post-surgery reasons
Avoiding continuous long driving and long sitting
If you have PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE), you should seek medical treatment straight away. The treatment’s purpose is to break up clots and prevent new clots from developing.
Treatment options include blood thinners (anticoagulants), clot dissolvers (thrombolytics), and surgical clot removal treatments. It’s critical to take your medications exactly as directed because the effects of some anticoagulant medications can fade off within a day.
To avoid repeated blood clots, you will normally be advised to take these medications for at least three months. Some persons with life-threatening pulmonary embolism, repeated clots, or an unprovoked clot, on the other hand, may be advised to continue taking the medicine continuously.