Lung embolisms can be life-threatening and also very difficult to diagnose as some of the symptoms are similar to symptoms of other illnesses. Also, even otherwise healthy people can be at risk of developing an embolism.
What is a lung embolism?
Lung embolisms, also known as pulmonary embolisms, occur when one or more of the arteries in the lungs become blocked with coagulated blood. These clots usually travel to the lungs from another part of the body. A lung embolism usually occurs as a complication from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – where the veins furthest from the surface of the body becomes blocked or clogged.
Who gets lung embolisms?
Lung embolisms do not occur only in people with a history of heart or lung disease – otherwise healthy people are just as much as risk of developing a pulmonary embolism as people with a history of these diseases. But there are some risk factors: being elderly, being overweight, being a cancer patient, people who have pelvic or lower limb fractures and women who are pregnant and giving birth are more at risk. There also seems to be a family tendency towards developing these embolisms.
What are the symptoms of a lung embolism?
There are no exact set of symptoms that point directly to lung embolisms as the symptoms vary greatly according to where the embolism is situated and how much of the lung or lungs are involved and affected.
The more common symptoms include:
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- Shortness of breath
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- Sudden chest pain
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- A cough that produces phlegm with blood
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- Wheezing
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- Sweating
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- Irregular heartbeat
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- Rapid heartbeat
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- Weak or slow pulse
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- Light-headedness or fainting
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- Leg swelling
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- Skin that goes clammy and turns bluey.
When must you see a doctor?
If you experience any one of the first three symptoms listed above, you should see a doctor immediately. Embolism can re-occur, so it is advisable for all people with embolisms to see a doctor to take preventative care.
Sources
www.mayoclinic.com
ww.netdoctor.co.uk