Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFormationSymptomsEarly TreatmentSurvival and RecoveryConsiderations After PEMonitoringNext in Pulmonary Embolism GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Pulmonary Embolism
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Formation
Symptoms
Early Treatment
Survival and Recovery
Considerations After PE
Monitoring
Next in Pulmonary Embolism Guide
Apulmonary embolism(PE) is ablood clotthat has broken off a blood vessel, traveled to the lungs, and blocks a lung artery.It affects approximately 900,000 people in the United States each year.It is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.
This article will discuss how long it takes a blood clot to turn into a PE. It will also cover symptoms, treatments, and recovery.
Luis Alvarez / Getty Images
Blood Clots in Lungs: Formation and Travel Time
A blood clot in the lung starts as adeep vein thrombosis(DVT). DVTs are blood clots that form in large veins, generally the arms or legs. When these clots break off from the blood vessel wall, they move through the circulatory system. Blood clots can get caught as they travel through the vessels; when they get to the lungs, it causes a PE.
A blood clot must break free from the blood vessel wall to travel through thecirculatory systemand to the lungs.
Pulmonary Embolism
An article in the journalCirculationfrom 2014 stated that the risk of a clot breaking off from the vessel wall and causing a PE is more common during the first few days through four weeks from clot formation.
Some people who have blood clots may not have symptoms. The blood clot may only cause symptoms once it reaches certain body areas like the lungs. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the time it takes for a blood clot to travel to the lungs.
Factors That Contribute to Lung Blood ClotsAnyone can get a PE. Certain factors increase a person’s risk. These factors are:SurgeryPregnancyHormone-based birth controlCertain medical conditions (lung disease, cancer, and heart disease)Family historyNot moving for extended periods
Factors That Contribute to Lung Blood Clots
Anyone can get a PE. Certain factors increase a person’s risk. These factors are:SurgeryPregnancyHormone-based birth controlCertain medical conditions (lung disease, cancer, and heart disease)Family historyNot moving for extended periods
Anyone can get a PE. Certain factors increase a person’s risk. These factors are:
Emergency Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Symptoms
A PE is a medical emergency. When a blood clot forms, it may not cause symptoms if it isn’t causing a blockage.
The symptoms appear once the clot is large enough to block a vein or if it breaks off and moves to another area, creating a blockage.
PE symptomscan vary from very mild, with no symptoms at all, to incredibly severe. These symptoms may include:
Immediate Treatment for Blood Clots in Lungs
Thetreatment for a blood clot in the lungsdepends on its severity and how it affects the organs in the body.
Someone who has a blood clot in the lungs and does not have difficulty breathing, has a normal blood pressure, and has a normal heart rate may only be treated with an intravenous (IV) anticoagulant or subcutaneous (SC) injections to stop further clotting.This will not break up a blood clot that is already formed.
Treatment for people with PE symptoms will be more aggressive. Its aim is to break up the blood clot in the lungs and prevent additional clots from forming. Treatments include both medications and procedures.
Medications for a blood clot in the lungs are:
Procedures used to treat blood clots in the lungs are:
Learn more:Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis: The 3-Step Process
Factors That Affect Survival and Ability to Recover
There are several factors that affect aperson’s survival after a PE. Overall health, comorbidities, and severity of the blood clot will all play a factor in a person’s survival and ability to recover.
Another factor is blood clot size. The larger the size, the lower the chance of survival. Here are the types of blood clots in the lungs and their corresponding mortality rate:
Post–Pulmonary Embolism Considerations
After treatment for PE, you will need to take new medications and make lifestyle changes.
Anticoagulants will need to be taken for three months or longer, depending on the underlying cause of the blood clot.
When taking an anticoagulant, you will need to avoid foods high invitamin K, alcohol, and aspirin. You should also avoid activities that could cause an injury and increase your chances of bleeding.
After a pulmonary embolism, a small percentage of people will develop scar-like tissue in the arteries. This will narrow or cause obstructions, leading to a type ofpulmonary hypertensioncalled chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
Long-Term Monitoring After PE
Pulmonary embolisms often recur. Ensuring a long-term monitoring plan is in place to prevent recurrence is crucial. Be sure to attend all follow-up healthcare appointments and tests.
To prevent another DVT, which could lead to a PE, adopt these lifestyle changes:
Prevention of Blood Clots During Chemotherapy
Summary
PEs are a serious medical condition. When identified and treated promptly, outcomes are typically positive. Recovery may include anticoagulants and lifestyle modifications to prevent additional clot development. Contact a healthcare provider to clarify any questions surrounding clot management and life after a PE.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on venous thromboembolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding blood clots infographic.Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.006285National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary embolism (PE).Tarbox AK, Swaroop M.Pulmonary embolism.Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013;3(1):69-72. doi:10.4103/2229-5151.109427Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A.Pulmonary embolism, part I: epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism.Exp Clin Cardiol. 2013;18(2):129-138.Sandal A, Korkmaz ET, Aksu F, et al.Performance of pulmonary embolism severity index in predicting long-term mortality after acute pulmonary embolism.Anatol J Cardiol. 2021;25(8):544-554. doi:10.5152/AnatolJCardiol.2021.99345American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on venous thromboembolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding blood clots infographic.Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.006285National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary embolism (PE).Tarbox AK, Swaroop M.Pulmonary embolism.Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013;3(1):69-72. doi:10.4103/2229-5151.109427Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A.Pulmonary embolism, part I: epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism.Exp Clin Cardiol. 2013;18(2):129-138.Sandal A, Korkmaz ET, Aksu F, et al.Performance of pulmonary embolism severity index in predicting long-term mortality after acute pulmonary embolism.Anatol J Cardiol. 2021;25(8):544-554. doi:10.5152/AnatolJCardiol.2021.99345American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on venous thromboembolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding blood clots infographic.Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.006285National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary embolism (PE).Tarbox AK, Swaroop M.Pulmonary embolism.Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013;3(1):69-72. doi:10.4103/2229-5151.109427Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A.Pulmonary embolism, part I: epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism.Exp Clin Cardiol. 2013;18(2):129-138.Sandal A, Korkmaz ET, Aksu F, et al.Performance of pulmonary embolism severity index in predicting long-term mortality after acute pulmonary embolism.Anatol J Cardiol. 2021;25(8):544-554. doi:10.5152/AnatolJCardiol.2021.99345American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on venous thromboembolism.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding blood clots infographic.
Waldron B, Moll S.A patient’s guide to recovery after deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.Circulation. 2014;129(17). doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.006285
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary embolism (PE).
Tarbox AK, Swaroop M.Pulmonary embolism.Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2013;3(1):69-72. doi:10.4103/2229-5151.109427
Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A.Pulmonary embolism, part I: epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism.Exp Clin Cardiol. 2013;18(2):129-138.
Sandal A, Korkmaz ET, Aksu F, et al.Performance of pulmonary embolism severity index in predicting long-term mortality after acute pulmonary embolism.Anatol J Cardiol. 2021;25(8):544-554. doi:10.5152/AnatolJCardiol.2021.99345
American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
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