Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBreathing ExercisesOther Recovery StrategiesMonitoring SymptomsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Breathing Exercises
Other Recovery Strategies
Monitoring Symptoms
Frequently Asked Questions
This article discusses breathing exercises and how to do them if you’ve recently had a pulmonary embolism.
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About 1 in 1,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism annually.
Generally, thediaphragmcan easily move oxygen and other gases in and out of the lungs. After a pulmonary embolism, the lungs might have more difficulty completing this task. If practiced regularly, breathing exercises can help make the lungs more efficient.
Two types of breathing exercises that may help include:
Buteyko Breathing: A Complementary Technique
Although there is no standard guideline for post-pulmonary embolism rehabilitation, there are best practices to help with recovery. Speak with your healthcare provider about which of the following exercises can help assist you with your overall health outcome:
Coping With Pulmonary Embolism
Once a pulmonary embolism is diagnosed, the primarytreatmentis ananticoagulant; this medication is designed to stop the blood clot from growing and to give the body time to break the clot down naturally. It’s typically used for three months or longer after aPE diagnosis.Since the use of anticoagulants requires some monitoring, expect follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider.
Any shortness of breath resulting from a PE typically resolves within a few weeks to months after the initial diagnosis. If shortness of breath remains six months after treatment, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. Further testing might be indicated to determine if the PE scarred the lung or the lung’s blood vessels or if other treatments are needed.
Blood Clots in Lungs: Before and After Pulmonary Embolism
Tips After a PE DiagnosisAdditional items your healthcare provider might encourage after a pulmonary embolism diagnosis include:Compression sockshelp increase pressure in the veins of the legs to prevent blood from pooling and clotting. Increased pressure forces the blood to keep moving, making it harder for a blood clot to form and break off, becoming a pulmonary embolism.Bleeding precautions: It’s essential to be aware of anticoagulant interactions that may decrease their effectiveness. Examples of things to avoid while taking anticoagulants include alcohol, over-the-counter (OTC) medications (like aspirin), and certain foods.
Tips After a PE Diagnosis
Additional items your healthcare provider might encourage after a pulmonary embolism diagnosis include:Compression sockshelp increase pressure in the veins of the legs to prevent blood from pooling and clotting. Increased pressure forces the blood to keep moving, making it harder for a blood clot to form and break off, becoming a pulmonary embolism.Bleeding precautions: It’s essential to be aware of anticoagulant interactions that may decrease their effectiveness. Examples of things to avoid while taking anticoagulants include alcohol, over-the-counter (OTC) medications (like aspirin), and certain foods.
Additional items your healthcare provider might encourage after a pulmonary embolism diagnosis include:
Summary
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lungs that can block blood from being oxygenated to support the body’s functions. Once a diagnosis is made and a treatment plan begins, it is helpful to learn breathing exercises to help the lungs regain optimal function.
There are also additional considerations for strength training, nutritional support, psychological care, and health education to assist with a successful recovery after a pulmonary embolism diagnosis.
A Word From Verywell
A life-threatening diagnosis of pulmonary embolism can be frightening and stressful. Understanding the disease condition is important, as is knowing how to regain optimal health and wellness. Collaborating with your healthcare provider is vital to ensure any additional activities or treatments are recommended and safe.
Current best practices to improve health after a pulmonary embolism include breathing exercises, exercise training, health education, nutrition improvement, and psychological intervention if depression or anxiety is present.
Generally, exercise is safe until any pain or difficulty breathing is noted; if this happens, stop exercising immediately and contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.Before starting any exercise regimen, speak with your healthcare provider so they can ensure your lungs and motor function are stable enough.
4 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.American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.American Lung Association.Breathing exercises.Yu A, Ding W, Lin W, Cai J, Huang W.Application of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with pulmonary embolism (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(1):96. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11019American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
4 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.American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.American Lung Association.Breathing exercises.Yu A, Ding W, Lin W, Cai J, Huang W.Application of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with pulmonary embolism (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(1):96. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11019American 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.
American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.American Lung Association.Breathing exercises.Yu A, Ding W, Lin W, Cai J, Huang W.Application of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with pulmonary embolism (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(1):96. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11019American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.
American Lung Association.Breathing exercises.
Yu A, Ding W, Lin W, Cai J, Huang W.Application of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with pulmonary embolism (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(1):96. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11019
American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
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