Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAre Blood Clots Fatal?Formation & Travel TimeSigns & SymptomsRisk FactorsGetting Immediate CareFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Pulmonary Embolism GuideBlood Clots in Lungs: Before and After Pulmonary Embolism
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Are Blood Clots Fatal?
Formation & Travel Time
Signs & Symptoms
Risk Factors
Getting Immediate Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Pulmonary Embolism Guide
However, a pulmonary embolism is considered a life-threatening emergency because the clot blocks blood flow into the lungs, causing pressure on theheart’s right ventricle(chamber), eventually leading to excessive heart strain and death.
This article reviews blood clot fatality, the formation and travel time of clots to the lungs, symptoms and risk factors of pulmonary embolism, and when to seek medical care.
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Studies estimate the incidence of pulmonary embolism in the United States at 1 per 1,000 people per year, equating to 200,000 to 300,000 hospital admissions per year. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 to 50,000 Americans die yearly from PE.
Because of variations in the severity of the clot blockage to the lung’s blood vessels and the pressure exerted on the heart’s right ventricle, health outcomes vary. However, the pulmonary embolism’s impact on the heart’s right ventricle function is the most common cause of pulmonary embolism death.
For people with pulmonary embolism but no associated decrease inright ventricle function, estimates place mortality (death) at around 2%. People with PE causing increased stress on the heart’s right ventricle have a greater than 15% mortality rate.
Therefore, knowing the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism and seeking rapid treatment is crucial to long-term survival.
Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis: The 3-Step Process
Formation and Travel Time to Lungs
Pulmonary embolismsalmost always begin as a distant clot in the arms or legs.Small pieces can break off and travel through the body’s blood vessels as the distant clot grows. While smaller pieces might pass through the lungs without a problem, larger fragments of the clot can lodge in the lung’s blood vessels and create a pulmonary embolism.
The size of the distant clot piece that lodges in the lung and how quickly that lodged piece starts to grow in the lung’s blood vessels will affect how quickly pulmonary embolism forms.
What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Identifying the Signs of a Pulmonary Embolism
The most commonsymptoms of pulmonary embolismare:
Somerisk factorsassociated with pulmonary embolism include:
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Identifying a distant clot before it turns into a pulmonary embolism offers the best option for optimal health andrecovery. Symptoms of a distant clot in the arms or legs may include:
If a clot has moved to the lungs, there are different signs and symptoms to be aware of. If you’re experiencing any of the below signs or symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:
Coping With Pulmonary Embolism
Summary
A pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in the lungs, usually forms when a distant clot—usually from the arms or legs—breaks off and travels to the lungs. A PE is a medical emergency, but with quick identification and treatment, most people can recover without compromising overall health and wellness.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or upper back pain, you should seek immediate medical attention to determine whether a PE is present and receive prompt treatment.
A Word From Verywell
A life-threatening diagnosis, such as a pulmonary embolism, can cause stress, anxiety, and worry. If you, or someone you know, has symptoms of PE, seek immediate medical care to ensure prompt treatment. You can recover from PE and lead a healthy life.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen caught early, 98% of pulmonary embolisms can be successfully treated.Understanding the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, and seeking immediate medical attention, can ensure rapid treatment and resolution of a pulmonary embolism.The vast majority of pulmonary embolisms begin as a segment of a distant clot in a deep vein of the arms or legs that break off and lodge in the lung’s blood vessels. Depending on the size and location of the pulmonary embolism and other risk factors, a pulmonary embolism usually develops over time.A pulmonary embolism can feel similar to a heart attack with many of the same signs and symptoms.Anyone experiencing chest or upper back pain, difficulty breathing, a racing heart, or a cough with pink or blood-tinged secretions should seek immediate medical attention.
When caught early, 98% of pulmonary embolisms can be successfully treated.Understanding the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, and seeking immediate medical attention, can ensure rapid treatment and resolution of a pulmonary embolism.
The vast majority of pulmonary embolisms begin as a segment of a distant clot in a deep vein of the arms or legs that break off and lodge in the lung’s blood vessels. Depending on the size and location of the pulmonary embolism and other risk factors, a pulmonary embolism usually develops over time.
A pulmonary embolism can feel similar to a heart attack with many of the same signs and symptoms.Anyone experiencing chest or upper back pain, difficulty breathing, a racing heart, or a cough with pink or blood-tinged secretions should seek immediate medical attention.
6 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.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.Gruber MP, Bull TM.Pulmonary embolism.Clin Resp Medicine, 3rd ed. 2008.Turetz M, Sideris AT, Friedman OA, et al.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of pulmonary embolism.Semin intervent Radiol. 2018;35(02):92-98. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1642036American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.American Heart Association.Pulmonary embolism is common and can be deadly but few know the signs.American Lung Association.Pulmonary embolism symptoms and diagnosis.
6 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.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.Gruber MP, Bull TM.Pulmonary embolism.Clin Resp Medicine, 3rd ed. 2008.Turetz M, Sideris AT, Friedman OA, et al.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of pulmonary embolism.Semin intervent Radiol. 2018;35(02):92-98. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1642036American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.American Heart Association.Pulmonary embolism is common and can be deadly but few know the signs.American Lung Association.Pulmonary embolism symptoms and diagnosis.
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.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.Gruber MP, Bull TM.Pulmonary embolism.Clin Resp Medicine, 3rd ed. 2008.Turetz M, Sideris AT, Friedman OA, et al.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of pulmonary embolism.Semin intervent Radiol. 2018;35(02):92-98. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1642036American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.American Heart Association.Pulmonary embolism is common and can be deadly but few know the signs.American Lung Association.Pulmonary embolism symptoms and diagnosis.
American Lung Association.Treating and managing pulmonary embolism.
Gruber MP, Bull TM.Pulmonary embolism.Clin Resp Medicine, 3rd ed. 2008.
Turetz M, Sideris AT, Friedman OA, et al.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and natural history of pulmonary embolism.Semin intervent Radiol. 2018;35(02):92-98. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1642036
American Lung Association.Learn about pulmonary embolism.
American Heart Association.Pulmonary embolism is common and can be deadly but few know the signs.
American Lung Association.Pulmonary embolism symptoms and diagnosis.
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