What are the causes of pulmonary embolism. How can I prevent a pulmonary embolism. What are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.

Causes of Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot, typically originating from a deep vein in the leg (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), travels to the lungs and blocks one of the pulmonary arteries. This blockage can lead to serious complications, such as damage to the lungs and low oxygen levels in the blood, which can harm other organs.

The main risk factors for developing a pulmonary embolism, known as Virchow’s triad, are:

1. Stagnant blood flow: This often occurs during prolonged periods of inactivity, such as after surgery, during a long flight or vehicle ride, or when bedridden due to illness.
2. Hypercoagulability: Conditions or factors that make the blood more likely to clot, including medications like birth control pills, smoking, cancer, recent surgery, or pregnancy.
3. Vessel wall damage: Injury to a blood vessel, such as in the lower leg, can lead to clot formation.

In rare cases, a pulmonary embolism can also be caused by an air bubble or part of a tumor blocking an artery in the lung, or by fat from a broken bone entering the bloodstream.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

The primary symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:

• Sudden difficulty breathing
• Chest pain that worsens with breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Pain, redness, and swelling in the affected leg (if a deep vein thrombosis is the source)

These symptoms can be life-threatening, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of them.

Preventing Pulmonary Embolism

The best way to prevent a pulmonary embolism is to take steps to stop blood clots from forming in the first place. Some key measures include:

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants)

Your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications, known as anticoagulants, to prevent clot formation, especially if you are at high risk due to hospitalization, surgery, or other medical conditions.

Compression Stockings

Wearing compression stockings can help improve blood flow in the legs and prevent clots from forming.

Exercise and Stretching

Getting up and moving around, even during long flights or hospital stays, can help keep blood circulating and prevent clots. Stretching exercises can also be beneficial.

Lifestyle Changes

Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and properly managing any underlying health conditions can also help reduce your risk of pulmonary embolism.

Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism

In severe, life-threatening cases of pulmonary embolism, healthcare providers may use thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs) or even surgery to remove or break up the clot. However, these aggressive treatments are rare and the focus is typically on prevention.

Key Takeaways

Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the lungs. The main risk factors are stagnant blood flow, hypercoagulability, and vessel wall damage. Symptoms include sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain, and coughing up blood. To prevent pulmonary embolism, measures like blood thinners, compression stockings, exercise, and lifestyle changes can be effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of pulmonary embolism?

The most common cause of pulmonary embolism is a blood clot, typically originating from a deep vein in the leg (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT).

How do you know if you have a pulmonary embolism?

The primary symptoms of pulmonary embolism include sudden difficulty breathing, chest pain that worsens with breathing, and coughing up blood. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

How can I prevent a pulmonary embolism?

To prevent pulmonary embolism, key measures include taking blood-thinning medications, wearing compression stockings, getting up and moving around during long periods of inactivity, and making lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking.

Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot in Lung) Causes & Risk Factors

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Else Could Raise My Chances of Having a PE?
• How Can I Prevent a Pulmonary Embolism?

Your blood goes from your heart to your lungs through your pulmonary artery. In the lungs, the blood is supplied with oxygen, and then it goes back to the heart, which pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.

When a blood clot gets caught in one of the arteries that go from the heart to the lungs, it’s called a pulmonary embolism (PE). The clot blocks the normal flow of blood.

This blockage can cause serious problems, like damage to your lungs and low oxygen levels in your blood. The lack of oxygen can harm other organs in your body, too. If the clot is big or the artery is clogged by many smaller clots, a pulmonary embolism can be deadly.

Pulmonary embolisms usually travel to the lungs from a deep vein in the legs. Doctors call this deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These clots develop when the blood can’t flow freely through the legs because your body is still for a long time, say during a long flight or drive. It might also happen if you’re on bed rest after surgery or illness.

The risk factors are the same as those for DVT. Doctors refer to these as Virchow’s triad. They are:

• Not moving for a long time or having changes in normal blood flow. This often happens if you’ve been in the hospital or on bed rest for a long period of time. It could also happen during a long flight or vehicle ride.
• Blood that’s more likely to clot. Doctors call this hypercoagulability. It could be caused by medications, like birth control pills. Smoking, cancer, recent surgery, or pregnancy can also put you at risk.
• Damage to a blood vessel wall. Injury to your lower leg can lead to this.

In rare cases, an artery in the lung can be blocked by something other than a clot, like an air bubble or part of a tumor. If you break a big bone, fat from the bone marrow can sometimes come through the blood and cause blockage.

The best way to prevent a PE is to try to stop blood clots from forming deep in your veins. This can be challenging if you’ve been on bed rest after a surgery or illness, or if you just took a long flight.

If you’re at risk, here are a few things that may help lower your chances of getting these dangerous blood clots:

Blood thinners

Doctors call these anticoagulants. They keep your blood from forming clots. Your doctor may prescribe them to you while you’re in the hospital for surgery. They might also suggest that you keep taking them for some time after you go home.

Your doctor might also recommend blood thinners if you’ve been hospitalized after a stroke or heart attack, or if you have complications from cancer.

Compression stockings

These are long socks that squeeze your legs. The extra pressure helps blood move through your veins and leg muscles. Your doctor may recommend that you wear them for a while after surgery.

Exercise

Get out of bed and walk when you’re getting over a long stay in the hospital or an illness that’s kept you in bed for too long. It’ll keep the blood in your legs flowing so it doesn’t have a chance to pool.

Stretching during trips

If you’re on a long flight, try to walk around every few hours. If you can’t stand up, flex your ankles by pulling your toes toward you.

Here’s another stretch you can try to do while seated:

1. Pull your leg up toward your chest with one hand.
2. Hold the bottom of that leg with the other hand.
3. Keep this pose for 15 seconds, and then try it with the other leg.
4. Do this up to 10 times per hour.

If you’re driving a long distance, stop every hour and stretch your legs.

Also, be sure to drink extra fluids to help you stay hydrated.

Lifestyle changes

Other steps you can take include:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• If you plan to take hormones, like birth control or replacement therapy, talk to your doctor about your risk for blood clots.
• If you have other health issues, like diabetes or heart failure, take your meds, watch what you eat, and talk to your doctor about any changes.
• Also talk to your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease or certain autoimmune diseases, or a family history of blood clots
• If you smoke, quit.

In life-threatening cases of pulmonary embolism, your doctor may decide to give you drugs called thrombolytics to break up the clot. It may even need to be taken out or broken up with surgery, though this is rare.

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Pulmonary embolism – NHS

A pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your lungs. It can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Check if you have a pulmonary embolism

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:

• difficulty breathing that comes on suddenly
• chest pain that’s worse when you breathe in
• coughing up blood

You may also have pain, redness and swelling in one of your legs (usually the calf). These are symptoms of a blood clot, also called DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you have difficulty breathing which comes on suddenly
• you’re coughing up blood

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• you have severe difficulty breathing
• you feel pain in your chest or upper back
• your heart is beating very fast
• someone has passed out

These could be signs of a pulmonary embolism or another serious condition.

Treating a pulmonary embolism

If a GP thinks you’ve got a pulmonary embolism, you’ll be sent to hospital for further tests and treatment.

At hospital, you’ll probably be given an injection of anticoagulant medicine before you get any test results.

Anticoagulants stop blood clots getting bigger and prevent new clots forming.

If tests confirm you have a pulmonary embolism, you’ll continue with anticoagulant injections for at least 5 days.

You’ll also need to take anticoagulant tablets for at least 3 months.

You should make a full recovery from a pulmonary embolism if it’s spotted and treated early.

Reduce your pulmonary embolism risk

A pulmonary embolism often happens when part of the blood clot dislodges itself from your leg and travels up to your lungs, causing a blockage.

There are measures you can take to lower your risk of getting a pulmonary embolism.

If you’re being treated in hospital for another condition, your medical team should take steps to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

A DVT can occasionally develop on long journeys such as bus, train or air travel. The risk of developing DVT is increased for flights lasting more than 4 hours.

There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting a travel-related DVT.

Do

• sit comfortably in your seat and choose an aisle seat if possible

• wear loose-fitting clothing

• make sure you have plenty of leg room

• drink water regularly

• take regular breaks from sitting

• bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes every 30 minutes while seated

• press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor every so often

• wear flight socks

Don’t

• do not sit for long periods without moving

• do not drink alcohol

• do not drink too much coffee and other caffeine-based drinks

• do not take sleeping pills

Page last reviewed: 25 May 2023
Next review due: 25 May 2026

The doctor called the symptoms indicating blood clots in the legs and lungs in the legs and lungs

The doctor called the symptoms indicating blood clots in the legs and lungs

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone now knows about such a terrible diagnosis as thrombosis. Infection provokes various complications, but thrombosis is one of the most… 12/21/2021, Sputnik Kyrgyzstan 92021-12-21T08:47+0600

2021-12-21T08:47+0600

2021-12-21T08:47+0600

in the world

symptoms

mild

legs

signs

thrombi

thrombosis

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Bishkek, 21 Deco – SPUTN IK. Professor Mark Whiteley from the UK spoke about the symptoms that indicate the presence of blood clots in the legs and lungs, writes “Dr. Peter” with reference to the Express. .If we talk about blood clots that form in the veins of the lower extremities, then people with varicose veins are at risk here. After suffering a coronavirus infection, varicose veins become a so-called “time bomb”: the person has already recovered, but the risk of thrombosis remains because the blood thickens. According to Whiteley, medical attention is needed if an inflamed hard bump suddenly appears on the leg. or pelvis, the whole leg may swell, painful sensations appear, it may be unpleasant for a person to step on the affected leg. There is also a risk that a blood clot that has formed in the leg will “fly away” to the heart or lungs. In this case, pulmonary embolism, cerebral stroke or myocardial infarction develops. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of a blood clot in the lungs: To protect the body from blood clots, the professor advises to move more. This is a simple but very effective way. At risk are people who have a sedentary job. Office workers should get up once an hour and walk for at least 10 minutes. Also, do not forget about daily walks and physical activity. Note that thrombosis can be diagnosed by laboratory and instrumental methods.

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in the world, symptoms, lungs, legs, signs, blood clots, thrombosis

in the world, symptoms, lungs, legs, signs, blood clots, thrombosis

BISHKEK, Dec 21 – Sputnik. Professor Mark Whiteley from the UK spoke about the symptoms that indicate the presence of blood clots in the legs and lungs, writes “Dr. Peter” with reference to the Express.

The sooner you suspect that you have a blood clot and seek medical help, the more chances you have to avoid dangerous consequences.

If we talk about blood clots that form in the veins of the lower extremities, then people with varicose veins are at risk here. After suffering a coronavirus infection, varicose veins become a so-called “time bomb”: the person has already recovered, but the risk of thrombosis remains, as the blood thickens.

Whiteley says you need medical attention if you suddenly develop an inflamed, hard lump on your leg.

“If the vein is near the surface and is large enough, it may feel like a long, thin sausage, and the skin over it may turn red,” the doctor explained.

If the clot is in the veins of the thigh or pelvis, the entire leg may swell, there may be pain, and it may be unpleasant for the person to step on the affected leg.

There is also a risk that a blood clot that has formed in the leg will “fly away” to the heart or lungs. In this case, pulmonary embolism, cerebral stroke or myocardial infarction develops.

The presence of a thrombus in the lungs may be indicated by the following symptoms:

chest and upper back pain;

it is hard and painful for you to breathe;

cough with blood;

“Pulmonary embolism usually presents as a sudden dry cough and a feeling of shortness of breath. It is difficult for a person to cough, his pressure may drop sharply. It is difficult for him to breathe in or out – pain appears,” Whiteley said.

To protect the body from blood clots, the professor advises to move more. This is a simple but very effective way. At risk are people who have a sedentary job. Office workers should get up once an hour and walk for at least 10 minutes. Also, do not forget about daily walks and physical activity.

Note that thrombosis can be diagnosed by laboratory and instrumental methods.

Doctor named 11 signs of protein deficiency in the body

Deep vein thrombosis – Treatment in Israel

D. R.A Medical
Tel Aviv, Israel
+972-77-4450480
contact(at)dramedical.com
D.R.A Medical

What is deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a specific area of ​​the deep veins. Connecting with each other, deep veins form the largest venous vessel of the human body, which is called the vena cava. The vena cava, in turn, is the main venous vessel through which blood enters the heart. When a thrombus forms in deep veins, blood flow to the heart is disrupted, which can lead to various complications in the cardiovascular system, the formation of trophic ulcers, and malnutrition of limb tissues. Most often, blood clots form in the deep veins of the lower leg, thigh and shoulder, but can enter the veins of the chest and in this case pose a threat to life. The most dangerous complication of deep vein thrombosis is the detachment of a blood clot and blockage of the pulmonary artery, in which case the disease is fatal. That is why, at the slightest suspicion of deep vein thrombosis, you need to seek qualified medical help.

Causes of deep vein thrombosis and risk factors

The causes of deep vein thrombosis are associated with a violation of normal blood flow and blood clotting. This is facilitated by:

• sedentary lifestyle or prolonged immobilization when blood flow in the lower extremities is disturbed;
• surgical interventions accompanied by damage to blood vessels and the use of hemostatic drugs;
• bleeding disorders: this may be a feature of the body or a consequence of certain diseases, such as cancer;
• long-term use of certain oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy;
• old age;
• pregnancy;
• obesity;
• tobacco smoking, etc.

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis

The appearance of characteristic signs of deep vein thrombosis depends on the size of the thrombus and its location, but in many cases this disease is asymptomatic. One of the typical symptoms of deep vein thrombosis is pain in the area of ​​the affected vein, which increases with exercise. For example, in the presence of a blood clot in the deep veins of the lower extremities, pain occurs when standing up. Edema appears and sensitivity changes.

There may also be a bluish tint to the skin due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues below the site of the thrombus. At the same time, oxygenated blood is not able to reach these tissues, since the clot serves as an obstacle to normal blood flow. Sometimes redness occurs in the area of ​​deep vein thrombosis rather than the typical blue skin.

In the most dangerous cases, the first sign of deep vein thrombosis is pulmonary embolism, where the thrombus enters from the deep veins of the lower extremities.

Deep vein thrombosis diagnostics

Deep vein thrombosis can lead to very dangerous conditions when a blood clot breaks off from the lower extremities and is carried with the bloodstream to the pulmonary artery. Therefore, before starting the treatment of this disease, it is important to undergo a qualitative and complete examination. It is worth starting the examination with a consultation with a vascular surgeon who will offer a plan for further analyzes and tests. Diagnostic procedures can be laboratory and instrumental.

• complete blood count and d-dimer test. This is the initial level of diagnosis when the presence of deep vein thrombosis is in question. A negative result for d-dimer practically excludes the presence of this disease, but a positive result is not a 100% confirmation, but requires further diagnosis;
• in case of suspected thrombosis of the veins of the pelvis, abdominal cavity, chest, multislice computed tomography is performed. Modern computed tomographs allow visualization of the vessel wall and thrombotic masses;
• Doppler ultrasound and duplex scanning – these ultrasound methods allow you to determine the change in blood flow velocity, the condition of the wall and valves of the veins, as well as the blood clots themselves. A limitation of this study is the ability to adequately visualize only the veins of the extremities and neck.
• computed tomography with contrast. A contrast agent is injected into a vein and sent to a deep vein, after which an x-ray is taken;
• MRI angiography is mainly used to diagnose thrombosis of the intracranial veins and sinuses or when inflammation of the tissues surrounding the thrombosed vein is suspected.

Deep vein thrombosis treatments

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis can be carried out by various methods: medication or with the help of minimally invasive surgical interventions. In difficult cases, advanced surgery will be required. The choice of this or that method of treatment is chosen by the attending physician depending on the patient’s condition, localization of the thrombus, its size, etc.

Drug therapy for deep vein thrombosis

Drug treatment is used in most cases and most often it is effective, improvement is achieved in 80% of cases.

This type of therapy is carried out in a hospital and after stabilization of the patient’s condition can be continued on an outpatient basis. The patient is prescribed drugs that have a thinning effect on the blood – anticoagulants. One of the main drugs for the treatment of this disease is heparin. Heparin prevents blood clotting and thus has a thinning effect on it.

In addition to anticoagulants, thrombolytics are used to treat deep vein thrombosis. Thrombolytics are able to dissolve the formed blood clot and are the best treatment for the formation of large blood clots that block blood flow. These drugs are given through an IV to dilute blood clots, or they may be given through a catheter directly into the tissue of the clot. This procedure is called0205 thrombolysis . Thrombolytics can cause serious bleeding and are used only in a hospital setting.

Endovascular treatments for deep vein thrombosis

If a thrombus is diagnosed and it is not amenable to drug treatment, they resort to thrombectomy – the surgical removal of a blood clot. The preferred option is endovascular surgery, when access to the thrombus and all subsequent actions with it are carried out using a catheter that is inserted through a large vein (eg, thigh). Next, the doctor decides how he will remove the blood clot. There are several options here:

Balloon angioplasty and stenting is a commonly used method for removing deep vein clots. A special balloon is inserted through the catheter into the area of ​​the narrowing of the vessel, which is then inflated, expands the affected area and the thrombus is brought out. To keep the gap open, a stent is placed, which may sometimes be covered with drugs to prevent blood clots.

Rheolitic thrombectomy is a modern method of mechanical removal of blood clots with the help of special catheters installed by percutaneous puncture in the thrombus area. The method is used to treat patients with contraindications to drug therapy. Rheolitic thrombectomy is used to restore the lumen of thrombosed vessels by crushing blood clots and removing their fragments from the lumen of the vein. A special complex uses high-pressure saline jets in such a way that the so-called Venturi effect is created, which makes it possible to destroy a blood clot and evacuate it through a probe. The procedure is performed in a hospital under local anesthesia. The duration of hospitalization is 2-3 days.

“Cava filter” installation . With deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, there is such a condition as a floating thrombus. This is a thrombus, which is attached to the wall of the vein at one end, and its other end is free. With this type of thrombus, the probability of its detachment and the development of pulmonary embolism is especially high. In such cases, doctors may suggest installing a cava filter. This is a device to stop blood clots on their way to important organs, up the bloodstream (to the lungs, heart, brain). The filter is inserted into a vein by means of an endovascular method, it opens and acts as a trap for a detached blood clot.

Cava filters are either permanent or temporary. Today, temporary cava filters are most often installed, which are installed during the period of active treatment of thrombosis, when the likelihood of the formation and separation of a blood clot is increased. A few weeks after the completion of treatment, the temporary filter is removed in the same way as it was installed, only in reverse order.

Cava filters can become clogged. The patient feels symptoms similar to the formation of a blood clot: pain, swelling. The patency of the cava filter is checked using contrast phlebography. In this case, the clogged cava filter is replaced with a new one.

The cava filter is placed under ultrasound or x-ray guidance and takes about 1 hour. After that, the patient is at rest for a couple of days.

Open vessel thrombectomy. This type of thrombectomy is used only in severe forms of the disease, when the likelihood of tissue necrosis is ascertained. If tissue necrosis is already observed, the affected area of ​​the vein is replaced with a graft. Operations on an open vessel are carried out through a small incision, trying to minimally injure the vein.

Compression therapy for deep vein thrombosis

Patients with deep vein thrombosis are advised to wear compression stockings and keep the lower extremities elevated. Compression stockings significantly reduce leg swelling. These stockings are worn on the legs up to the level of the knees. Compression helps reduce the likelihood of severe forms of deep vein thrombosis.

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis in Israel: clinics and doctors

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis is carried out by D.R.A.Medical on the basis of the two largest medical clinics in Israel – the Elisha Medical Center and the Carmel Hospital / Medical Center in Haifa. The departments of vascular surgery of these clinics are considered among the best in the country, both in terms of the degree of equipment with the latest equipment and the level of professionalism of surgeons.

Our Doctors
Angiosurgeon, Professor Ron Carmeli – Founder and Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery, Carmel Medical Center.
Angiosurgeon, Professor Yakov Shneiderman – Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at the Sheba Medical Center
Angiosurgeon, Professor Yehuda Wolf – Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at the Medical Center “Ichilov.

The cost of diagnosing and treating deep vein thrombosis in Israel

• Vascular surgeon consultation – $ 430 – 650
• Computed angiography – $420-650
• Doppler Ultrasound – $280-470
• Complete Blood Count – $165 – 290
• Thrombus removal by endovascular method (price depends on the chosen method) -$ 23,000-28,000
• Vascular bypass – $ 19,000 – 25,000

Prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis

After undergoing treatment for deep vein thrombosis or with a tendency to it, you need to follow some rules to avoid relapses.
For the prevention of vascular thrombosis, one should not allow prolonged immobilization of the lower extremities, stand or sit in one position for a long time.
In any weather, but especially in the heat, you need to drink plenty of fluids, at least 1.5 liters per day, to prevent blood clotting.
Postoperative and bedridden patients require the appointment of special drugs to avoid the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis.