What Does the Term Pulmonary Embolism Mean?
Updated March 11, 2015.
Definition: Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in an artery leading to the lungs, most often caused by a blood clot.
A pulmonary embolism most commonly occurs when a clot lower down in one of the legs, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) breaks loose in the leg or pelvis and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs.
Risk factors
Risk factors for a DVT include periods of being immobile (such as during bedrest and hospitalization), chronic illnesses (such as lung cancer) and surgery among others.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms may include severe sudden chest pain, shortness of breath and lightheadedness. Pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency that can be fatal if untreated.
Next Step:
Learn what you can do to sometimes prevent or at least recognize blood clots before an embolism occurs in the following article:
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