A large pulmonary embolism is serious, and can cause heart problems, lung and breathing problems or even sudden death. If you have a pulmonary embolism or a DVT, you are more likely to have another one later.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lungs, which can be serious and potentially lead to death. When left untreated, the mortality rate is up to 30% but when treated early, the mortality rate is 8%. Acute onset of pulmonary embolism can cause people to die suddenly 10% of the time.
Because one or more clots block blood flow to the lungs, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. However, prompt treatment greatly reduces the risk of death.
An embolism is a blocked artery caused by a foreign body, such as a blood clot or an air bubble. The body's tissues and organs need oxygen, which is transported around the body in the bloodstream.
A DVT or pulmonary embolism can take weeks or months to totally dissolve. Even a surface clot, which is a very minor issue, can take weeks to go away. If you have a DVT or pulmonary embolism, you typically get more and more relief as the clot gets smaller.
Treating Pulmonary Embolism
Blood thinners or anticoagulants are the most common treatment for a blood clot in the lung. It is important to note that blood thinners won't dissolve blood clots. In most cases, the hope is your body will eventually dissolve the clot on its own.
Recovery time for a blood clot in the lungs
The time it takes to completely recover from a pulmonary embolism can be several months or years, depending on the circumstances.
A thrombus is a blood clot that forms in a vein. An embolus is anything that moves through the blood vessels until it reaches a vessel that is too small to let it pass. When this happens, the blood flow is stopped by the embolus. An embolus is often a small piece of a blood clot that breaks off (thromboembolus).
Pulmonary embolism affects around 900,000 people in the U.S. every year. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots in the legs, called deep vein thrombosis, that travel to the lungs.
The first signs of pulmonary embolism are usually shortness of breath and chest pains that get worse if you exert yourself or take a deep breath. You may cough up bloody mucus. If you have these symptoms, get medical attention right away. Pulmonary embolism is serious but very treatable.
It's also worth mentioning that the most common symptom after a blood clot is exhaustion and fatigue. So, be kind to yourself and rest when you need to. For the first couple of months, you might not feel like yourself; you might feel like resting is all you can do, and that's okay because that's part of this disease.
Sometimes the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can be vague and nagging for several weeks, or they can be sudden and severe. Some people have few, if any, symptoms. Pulmonary embolism symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, but if you have any of them, see a GP as soon as possible.
Risk factors for pulmonary embolism include: Medical conditions: including high blood pressure, COPD, stroke, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. Vein disorders: including varicose veins and leg swelling.
Most people make a full recovery after a PE, but some may experience long-term symptoms, such as shortness of breath. The recovery period may vary depending on the severity of the PE and the person's overall health.
Survival after PE depends on several factors, including age, underlying medical conditions, and the size of the clot. After PE, mortality can range from 5–15% but may be higher or lower depending on the circumstances.
You may not have any symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, depending on the size of the clot and your overall health. As blood flow becomes more and more blocked, you may experience symptoms such as: Coughing, including a cough that produces bloody mucus.
Embolic stroke
Embolic strokes are usually caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body (embolus) and travels through the bloodstream to the brain. Embolic strokes often result from heart disease or heart surgery and occur rapidly and without any warning signs.
A common source for an embolus is from areas of hardening (atherosclerosis causing plaque) in the aorta and other large blood vessels. These clots can break loose and flow down to the legs and feet.
The most severe form of PE is an acute massive PE (ie, high risk) with mortality rates exceeding 20% irrespective of treatment.
Pulmonary embolism can cause pulmonary hypertension, which raises blood pressure in the vessels leading to your lungs and can result in heart failure. Signs of pulmonary hypertension include difficulty breathing (especially after exercise), swelling, coughing up blood, and fainting.
Although bed rest is commonly taught as part of treatment for acute DVT/PE, bed rest is associated with a longer hospital stay and muscle disuse has several negative effects. Current recommendations typically do not mention bed rest or early ambulation.
Effect of Stress on Blood Vessels
Research has shown that extended periods of anxiety can increase coagulation, which decreases the normal circulation of blood through the body and raises the risk of developing blot clots.
The rate of recurrent thromboembolism is less than 5% on anticoagulant therapy, reaching 30% after 10 years. Recurrences are more likely to take the form of a new pulmonary embolism than deep venous thrombosis.