An embolus and thrombus are similar in that they refer to blood clots. However, they have differences as well. An embolus travels through the bloodstream where it can cause a blockage. A thrombus is a blood clot in the vessel.

This article will go over what an embolus and thrombus, and which conditions cause them.

Embolus vs. Thrombus vs. Embolism

Sometimes, there can be more than one embolus. The plural of embolus isemboli.

Athrombusis a blood clot that forms within a blood vessel. If a thrombus breaks free and travels through the bloodstream, it has become anembolus. Providers may refer to a thrombus that has become an embolus as athromboembolismor simply anembolism.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Thrombus?

Why Is an Embolus Dangerous?

When an embolus travels through the bloodstream, it is inevitably carried through smaller and smaller blood vessels until it gets stuck. Once lodged, it can obstruct further blood flow through that vessel.

If a thrombus that has formed in a vein becomes embolized, it usually gets lodged in one of the pulmonary arteries where it can cause a pulmonary embolism.

If a thrombus forms in the arteries or on the left side of the heart (as inatrial fibrillation), and then becomes an embolus, it can end up damaging almost any organ in the body. It is a common cause of stroke.

What Are the Signs of an Embolism?

Examples of Embolic Diseases

If you have certain diseases or medical conditions, you might be more likely to develop an embolus. Here are a few examples of embolic diseases.

What Causes a Thrombus?

Summary

An embolus is a particle or mass that flows through the bloodstream. A thrombus is a blood clot in a blood vessel. If a thrombus breaks off, it can become an embolus.

Do Blood Thinners Treat an Embolism?

Frequently Asked QuestionsAn embolism is a blood clot (thrombus) that breaks free and starts moving through the bloodstream. It is also called a thromboembolism.How long a blood clot lasts depends on many factors. If you are not taking any medications to thin your blood or receiving other treatment, a blood clot might not get broken down for weeks or even months.An embolism can be treated with medications that thin the blood. There are also some procedures that can be done to try to break up the clot.

Frequently Asked Questions

An embolism is a blood clot (thrombus) that breaks free and starts moving through the bloodstream. It is also called a thromboembolism.

How long a blood clot lasts depends on many factors. If you are not taking any medications to thin your blood or receiving other treatment, a blood clot might not get broken down for weeks or even months.

An embolism can be treated with medications that thin the blood. There are also some procedures that can be done to try to break up the clot.

Can You Prevent a Thrombus?

7 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.Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, Kleerekoper M.Fat embolism syndrome. Am J Med Sci 2008;336:472. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318172f5d2Muth CM, Shank ES.Gas embolism. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:476. doi:10.1056/NEJM200002173420706Kronzon I, Saric M.Cholesterol embolization syndrome. Circulation. 2010;122:631. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.886465Clark SL.Amniotic fluid embolism. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123:337. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000107Kerut EK, Norfleet WT, Plotnick GD, Giles TD.Patent foramen ovale: a review of associated conditions and the impact of physiological size. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;38:613. doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01427-9National Library of Medicine.Arterial embolism.American Academy of Family Physicians.Deep Vein Thrombosis.

7 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.Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, Kleerekoper M.Fat embolism syndrome. Am J Med Sci 2008;336:472. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318172f5d2Muth CM, Shank ES.Gas embolism. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:476. doi:10.1056/NEJM200002173420706Kronzon I, Saric M.Cholesterol embolization syndrome. Circulation. 2010;122:631. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.886465Clark SL.Amniotic fluid embolism. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123:337. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000107Kerut EK, Norfleet WT, Plotnick GD, Giles TD.Patent foramen ovale: a review of associated conditions and the impact of physiological size. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;38:613. doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01427-9National Library of Medicine.Arterial embolism.American Academy of Family Physicians.Deep Vein Thrombosis.

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.

Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, Kleerekoper M.Fat embolism syndrome. Am J Med Sci 2008;336:472. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318172f5d2Muth CM, Shank ES.Gas embolism. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:476. doi:10.1056/NEJM200002173420706Kronzon I, Saric M.Cholesterol embolization syndrome. Circulation. 2010;122:631. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.886465Clark SL.Amniotic fluid embolism. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123:337. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000107Kerut EK, Norfleet WT, Plotnick GD, Giles TD.Patent foramen ovale: a review of associated conditions and the impact of physiological size. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;38:613. doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01427-9National Library of Medicine.Arterial embolism.American Academy of Family Physicians.Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, Kleerekoper M.Fat embolism syndrome. Am J Med Sci 2008;336:472. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318172f5d2

Muth CM, Shank ES.Gas embolism. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:476. doi:10.1056/NEJM200002173420706

Kronzon I, Saric M.Cholesterol embolization syndrome. Circulation. 2010;122:631. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.886465

Clark SL.Amniotic fluid embolism. Obstet Gynecol. 2014;123:337. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000107

Kerut EK, Norfleet WT, Plotnick GD, Giles TD.Patent foramen ovale: a review of associated conditions and the impact of physiological size. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;38:613. doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01427-9

National Library of Medicine.Arterial embolism.

American Academy of Family Physicians.Deep Vein Thrombosis.

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