Pulmonary Embolism

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

A pulmonary embolism (PE)

is the sudden blockage of a blood vessel in the lungs by an embolus. An embolus is a small piece of blood clot, fat, air, or tumor cells. The embolus cuts off the blood supply to your lungs. A PE can become life-threatening.

Common signs and symptoms of a PE:

• Sudden shortness of breath or fast breathing
• Sudden chest pain that is worse when you take a deep breath
• A fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever
• Coughing up blood, or coughing that does not go away
• Sweating at rest
• Bluish nails
• Cold, pale, clammy skin
• Fainting

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You cough up blood.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.

Call your doctor or hematologist if:

• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Treatment

depends on what the embolus is made of and where it is in your lung. Treatment may include any of the following:

• Clot busters are emergency medicines that work to dissolve blood clots.
• Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
  • Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
  • Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
  • Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
  • Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip does or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
• A vena cava filter may be placed inside your vena cava to prevent another PE. The vena cava is a large vein that brings blood from your lower body up to your heart. The filter may help trap an embolus and prevent it from going into your lungs.
• Surgery called a thrombectomy may be done to remove the PE. A procedure called thrombolysis may instead be done to inject a clot buster that helps dissolve or break the clot apart.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Eliquis
• Xarelto
• Pradaxa
• Arixtra
• Activase

View more treatment options

Prevent another PE:

• Change your body position or move around often. Move and stretch in your seat several times each hour if you travel by car or work at a desk. In an airplane, get up and walk every hour.
• Exercise regularly to help increase your blood flow. Walking is a good low-impact exercise. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your healthcare provider what a healthy weight is for you. Ask him or her to help you create a weight loss plan, if needed.
• Do not smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can damage blood vessels and increase your risk for another PE. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
• Ask about birth control if you are a woman who takes the pill. A birth control pill increases the risk for blood clots in certain women. The risk is higher if you are also older than 35, smoke cigarettes, or have a blood clotting disorder. Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to prevent pregnancy, such as a cervical cap or intrauterine device (IUD).

Follow up with your doctor or hematologist as directed:

Make an appointment as soon as possible. You may also need to come in regularly for scans to check for blood clots. Your blood may checked to see how long it takes to clot. Your doctor or specialist will tell you if you need to have this test and how often to have it. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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