Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolisms, or blood clots in the lungs, can be life-threatening, but Reid Health offers quick treatment to help protect your lungs.
Lifesaving care for pulmonary embolism
Clots can form in blood vessels anywhere in your body. Once they do, there’s a chance they can travel through your veins and arteries. When a blood clot ends up in the lungs, it’s called a pulmonary embolism.
A pulmonary embolism can be fatal. It can also increase the risk of serious health issues, including permanent lung damage, low blood oxygen, and heart failure or damage to other organs because of a lack of oxygen.
Immediate treatment for a pulmonary embolism allows your provider to break up existing blood clots and prevent new ones from forming.
At Reid Health, you can find quick and effective diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary embolisms. Our team of board-certified providers has specialty training in caring for people with pulmonary embolisms, getting rid of existing blood clots in the lungs and preventing future clots from forming.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot elsewhere in the body breaks off and travels to the lungs. These clots often originate in the legs or pelvis, a type of blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis.
Less commonly, an air bubble or tumor can block the arteries in the lungs, cutting off essential blood flow.
Pulmonary embolisms are more common in people with certain risk factors, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Being pregnant
- Having a genetic condition that affects blood clotting
- A history of a previous blood clot
- A history of smoking
- Long periods of being immobile
- Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy
Symptoms of pulmonary embolism
You might not notice symptoms of a pulmonary embolism until the blood clot causes another problem, such as pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure in the lungs.
Symptoms often develop suddenly and might include:
- Chest pain or pressure that worsens when taking a deep breath
- Heart palpitations
- Increased heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Shortness of breath
Pulmonary embolism treatments available at Reid
Our pulmonology and vascular specialists know how serious pulmonary embolisms can be. They’re dedicated to finding and treating them early to address your symptoms and, possibly, save your life.
Typically, diagnosing a pulmonary embolism starts with imaging tests. These might include an ultrasound of the legs to check for DVT, a CT scan of the chest to look for blood clots in the lungs, or a special screening called ventilation perfusion. Ventilation perfusion can measure oxygen and blood flow in the lungs. Your provider might also use a blood test to detect clot formation.
Treatment options
Treatment for a pulmonary embolism will vary depending on the size and severity of the blood clot, as well as other factors. Treatment might include:
- Vena cava filter: This special filter helps catch clots before they travel to the lungs.
- Medications: Blood thinners and other medications can keep blood clots from forming. Medications called thrombolytics can dissolve blood clots.
- Special procedures: Providers can remove blood clots by inserting a thin tube into a vein and sending the tube where the blood clot is. They then use special tools to remove the clot through the tube.
Ongoing care after treatment
Having a pulmonary embolism puts you at a higher risk of developing another one. Your Reid Health team will continue caring for you to help prevent that from happening. You’ll learn about lifestyle changes that can lower your risk and receive ongoing medication therapy.