FAQ - Pulmonary Embolism
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Would a pulmonary embolism have shown up on a chest x-ray?


I recently had a chest x-ray to look at my lungs. Would a pulmonary embolism have shown up?
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PE is not seen on chest x-ray. PE is a clot in the blood vessels of the lungs. The best imaging is CT angiogram which involves injecting contrast dye into the veins and doing a CT, if there is a blockage the dye will not be in the blocked vessel and it can be diagnosed.  (+ info)

Is chest pain common after pulmonary embolism?


I am 32 and was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism in both lungs 2 months ago. The pain in my chest went away for about a month but now is returning and very gradually increasing. The pain is only on the left side. I am not yet having trouble breathing, but if it gets much worse I will. I am somewhat nervous about this since the pain was extreme before. I hope I am not having another episode. Is this a common or something I should be concerned about?
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You should go to the emergency room right away. Don't wait another minute, as this could be very serious; life threatening.  (+ info)

How long after the initial symptoms would a pulmonary embolism cause serious problems?


I am doing an essay on 'sudden death' (cheerful, eh?) and am looking for info on pulmonary embolisms / infarction

Could anyone tell me how long after initial symptoms (pleuritic chest pain / cough etc) someone wouyld expect to go before hospitalisation is required ? Do PEs come on over time or are they sudden ???
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A Pulmonary Embolism would cause immediate problems. Depending on the type of emboli. How about this:
At 2:01 pm a person throws a PE to the lung:
2:02
1. Short of Breath
2. O2 Saturation Drops
3. Unable to get oxygen into the system
4. Hypoxiema
5. Tachycardia
6. Someone had better dial 911 or this person is going to be shaking hands with St. Peter.

Time 2:10

7. Cardiac Arrest

All right sometimes it is not that dramatic. But on Sunday, I had a patient do just that. Lucky for us he was already on life support and we were able to treat. So sometimes it does go that fast and sometimes it depends on just a lot of other things like:

Is the person previously healthy with no lung disease? Then they have a better chance than someone who has extensive lung disease.

What is the person's age? Why did they throw the PE? All of these things come into play.  (+ info)

How long would it take for a 71 year old male to recover from pulmonary embolism?


My dad had multiple large pulmonary embolisms about a month ago and almost did not make it. I was just wondering about how long the recovery process is for this. Such as shortness of breath, tired, ect.
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It can take up to 6 weeks for him to feel as if his energy level is coming back. His doctor will give him an idea as to his activity level that he should be doing or can do and he needs to listen closely to his doctor.  (+ info)

Is there anybody else out there dealing with Protein S, Pulmonary Embolism, How do you deal?


I ahve Protein S and Prothrombin gene mutation 20210A is there anybody out there like me? I have had a pulmonary embolism and superficial clotting. I am on coumadin. What do I have to look forward to?
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Below is a good support for you to join that have many other people that have the same clotting disorders that you have. You really aren't alone.

Really, if you keep your INR in range you should be fine. Have your family members tested for these though as they are genetic.

I have Lupus, APS, Lp(a) and MTHFR.  (+ info)

Birth control pills after pulmonary embolism?


Have you tried using birth control after a pulmonary embolism? Or any other forms of birth control?
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Do you know what caused the pulmonary embolism? The correct answer may depend on that and your own personal risk factors. But generally, birth control pills are not recommended for someone who is at risk for developing blood clots. The estrogen in birth control can increase clotting factors in your blood, especially if you smoke, are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle, or have a condition that predisposes you to blood clots. The same would go for any other estrogen-containing birth control. Condoms and diaphragms of course are safe, but not sure about other types of birth control.  (+ info)

Is there any connection between the deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism?


What is the difference between a pulmonary embolus and pulmonary infarct?
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read this "so yes to your question"

http://blog.geekwithfibroids.com/2006/09/13/has-anyone-had-problems-with-deep-vein-thrombosis/

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Only about half of the people with deep vein thrombosis have symptoms. The symptoms may include:

* Swollen area of the leg.
* Pain or tenderness in the leg. The pain is usually in one leg and may be felt only when standing or walking.
* Increased warmth in the area of the leg that is swollen or in pain.
* Red or discolored skin.

Pulmonary Embolism

Some people find out that they have deep vein thrombosis only after the clot has moved from the leg and traveled to the lung (pulmonary embolism). The symptoms may include:

* Chest pain when you take a deep breath
* Shortness of breath  (+ info)

Am I high risk for getting another pulmonary embolism after I get my tubes tied?


2 weeks after I had my daughter I landed in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism, drs have since told me I should not have any more kids as I am high risk. I am now wanting to get my tubes tied since I have been taken off the blood thinners. Would I be considered "high risk" following the surgery? I am undecided now on whether to get my tubes tied or not. Any advice is greatly appreciated
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After child birth or any surgery or immobility you are at increased risk of pulmonary emboli. If you are on blood thinners, they would need to be stopped prior to surgery (otherwise you would bleed too much). This increases your risk, as does the actual surgery in which clots can form and subsequently lodge in your lungs. Immobility following surgery can lead to increased formation of deep venous thrombosis (clots) in the legs and hips that can go on to lodge in the lungs also.

Once you stop taking the blood thinners (i know some countries give them for life but where I live (UK) its generally 3-6 months) go to a doctor and discuss your options. I'm sure that whilst you take warfarin you are not allowed to have an elective surgery - emergency surgery is a different case - anyway going off topic.

I would recommend talking to your family doctor for more information; hope this gives you a rough guide.

As someone asid above oral contraception is not an option as it increases the formation of clots (makes your blood sticky).  (+ info)

can you get a pulmonary embolism 2 times?


I am 35 years old and last year I had a pulmonary embolism. I did not have surgery prior to. the drs. still don't know what caused it. Before it happened I do remember my legs feeling tired and charlie horse like feelings. maybe a dvt. but isn't that odd for a 35 year old?
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Yes.

The symtoms you feel on you legs are probably called claudication.

Yes, DVT is a possibility but what is causing your DVT's if you have it. Is there something causing you blood to be more viscous than normal like an autoimmune disease. Do you have varicose veins on your legs. Might want to get a vascular ultrasound of blood vessels of your legs.

IF it is DVT, some preventive measures are taking of medication that will make you blood less viscous (pls. ask your doctor), wearing support or anti-DVT stockings and maybe considering having an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placed to prevent blood clots from going into you lungs again.  (+ info)

What can cause a pulmonary embolism besides surgery?


I had a friend who died from one suddenly.
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Blood clots in the legs breaking free and traveling to the lungs.

A person who sits a lot in an office, takes a long plane ride, etc can develop clots from sitting for a long period of time, specially if they have poor circulation and already have varicose veins. When they start moving around a clot can bust loose and head for the lungs or brain. Or heart. Solution is not to sit for long periods of time, wear support hose, take a daily baby aspirin as that helps prevent clot formation and if you have bad varicose veins, get them fixed. If you do feel you have a clot in the leg, do not rub it!!

A person also can throw a clot from a broken bone, usually in the leg, such as a hip bone. They can throw a fat globule that causes an embolism elsewhere in the body.

On rare occasion a pregnant woman in labor can have an amniotic embolism where some of the amniotic fluid gets into the circulation.

  (+ info)

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