What is the difference between an aneurysm and an embolism?

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Is the difference where they happen (head versus body), between hitting a vein or artery, or how serious the damage is? Can a cerebral accident be both an aneurysm and an embolism at the same time?
Yes. An aneurism is the ballooning of a blood vessel, and it can rupture due to a weak vessel wall.

An embolism is a clot floating around in the bloodstream, and is critical when it reaches either the brain or the heart. Elsewhere, it may cause a stroke/paralysis.  (+ info)

What are symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?

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Hi. A couple of years ago I went to the doctors about a cough I've always had. They did blood work and a chest X-Ray but found nothing. Now recently I found out that my mothers father died of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 33. What I'm wondering is if this cough I have is related to a pulmonary embolism. Also, is a pulmonary embolism genetic?
The symptoms of pulmonary embolism include (in rough order of prevalence) pleuritic chest pain (pain worst in breathing in), shortness of breath, fever, fast heart rate, cough with/without blood. Large pulmonary emboli can result in low blood pressure and the attendant symptoms - dizziness, blackouts, loss of consciousness, etc.

A cough without any other of the above symptoms is quite unlikely to be due to a pulmonary embolus. The tendency to form blood clots (and hence having a higher risk of embolus) can indeed be genetic - there are blood tests to screen for some of the more common conditions, but having a normal test doesn't mean that you are not at increased risk, particularly given your family history.

Aspirin is a cheap drug that may be beneficial in lowering your risk of a pulmonary embolus - but I would hasten to add that there is no solid trial evidence for its effectiveness in this context.  (+ info)

if someone has Pulminary Embolism would they qualify for SS benefits or Disability benefits?

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I have Pulminary Embolism, Pulmonary embolism is the sudden blockage of an artery in the lung. Once the artery is blocked, usually by one or more blood clots, oxygen levels in the blood drop, and blood pressure in the lungs rises.

Pulmonary embolism caused by large clots can cause sudden death, usually within 30 minutes of when symptoms begin. Smaller clots may cause permanent damage to the heart and lungs.
While what you wrote is true, it's not necessarily debilitating in the long term.

It could take several months to completely dissolve the clots, but once dissolved you could be your old self again.

I had bilateral pulmonary embolisms in '93 and after having an IVC filter (inferior vena cava filter) implanted, I recovered fully in about 6 months. I was back to work after 2.5 months.

While there was a risk that I'd develop Right Ventricular Hypertrophy due to the strain on my heart caused by the clots, I was lucky and had no hypertrophy.

I hope you are as fortunate.

If you are likely to have more clots in the future, you should discuss having an IVC filter implanted. It doesn't hurt and it protects you against any clots that develop below the location of the filter.  (+ info)

When is it safe to travel after a pulmonary embolism?

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A friend visiting from Europe developed a pulmonary embolism after a surgery. She has been started on a blood thinner. When is it safe for her to fly back home?
Never. She needs to become an American citizen and stay here forever. Or at least take a boat home and not a plane. LOL  (+ info)

What are the chances of having another stroke and pulmonary embolism if you smoke weed?

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I suffered a stroke and pulmonary embolism three months ago? I dont smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol but I did used to smoke weed?
ScienceDaily (June 14, 2001) — BOSTON – Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and their colleagues have found that people who smoke marijuana may increase their risk of a heart attack. In a study of nearly 4,000 people who had suffered a heart attack, the researchers observed that a person’s chance of having a heart attack, particularly those who are already at risk for heart disease, increased nearly five times during the first hour after smoking marijuana.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/06/010612065616.htm  (+ info)

Is it possible to get a Pulmonary Embolism while on Warfarin if you've already had one?

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I sufford from a Pulmonary Embolism while is hospital about 3 months ago. I am now on Warfarin for 6 months but I am wondering is it possible to get another Pulmonary Embolism whilst on it. Every time i get shortness of breath or pain in my leg i panic! Sensible answers only please! Also, after Warfarin, will i be at a greater risk of getting one even if I'm active?
It is possible, but not likely. When you're on warfarin, you should be having blood tests called a P.T. (Prothrombin Time) and a P.T.T. (Partial Prothrombin Time) which lets your Dr. know if you're blood is anti-coagulated enough. That way the Dr. can adjust your dose when needed. I had a blood clot in my leg that broke off and went into my lungs and my MD had me take these tests weekly for 10 years. I felt the same way you do for many years, but if you have these tests done, that should make you feel less panicked.

Also, there is a new injectable medication now called Lovenox, which acts immediately.

If you're not having these tests done, you should be.  (+ info)

What is the difference between an embolism and a stroke? or are they the same thing?

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Not sure if they are the same thing or different. Or is an embolism the cause of a stroke?

Thanks for any info
Not quite the same, an embolism is a travelling wad of something, usually a blood clot, that will end up at the terminus of a blood vessel. If that vessel is in the brain or supplies the heart, etc, there may be a big problem because enough blood will no longer supply that area.

A stroke can be due to not enough blood flow, either from an embolus, or constriction of blood vessels without an embolus, or may also be from hemorrhage (bleeding).

So an embolus can cause a stroke if the clot (or fat or air or whatever comprises the embolus) ends up in the brain.  (+ info)

I recently had a pulmonary embolism, currently on warfrin. What are the risks of getting pregnant?

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I am concerned about what complications might arrise if I were to get pregnant after my warfrin treatment. Complications for the baby and for myself...Is it ok to have another child after a pulmonary embolism and being on warfrin or are there too many risks invloved?
I have a genetic blood clotting disorder. The disorder predisposes me to having DVT's. I've had 4. Luckily, they were caught early and didn't end up going into a pulmonary embolism. Each time, I was placed on coumadin (warfrin) for at least 6 months.
The first time I got pregnant, I was on the blood thinner. I found out I was pregnant at 6 weeks. I miscarried 2 days later. I lost so much blood, I needed transfusions.
My doctor told me Warfrin causes miscarriages in a lot of women. He advised that if I wanted to become pregnant,
to stop the Warfrin and start Lovonox injections instead.
The injections have to be given in the stomach every day,
usually twice a day. They hurt a lot. There is intense burning
feeling afterwards for a couple of hours. Most injection sites bruise badly.
Having had a blood clot, that makes you high risk, so they will insist on the shots every day for the entire 9 months of pregnancy and after if you want to breastfeed.
The downside of Lovenox is that it is very expensive. Over $3000.00 for a month's supply retail. If you have Medicaid,
they'll pay for all of it. If you have private insurance with a prescription copay, you'll just have your copay, unless you hit the max for prescriptions in a year.
They will probably insist on a planned C-section, because your heart and lungs probably won't deal very well with the strain of labor. They won't let you have an epidural and be awake during it, though. You'll get general because of the risk of bleeding around your spine from the Lovenox, iif they gave you the epidural.
Bed rest for the last 6 months of the pregnancy is very probable, too. Been there, done that.
I've had 2 children that are both very heathy toddlers, now.
They are 17 months apart in age.
I had Lovenox shots with them both, bed rest for 6 months with my first, 4 with the second.
If you really want another child and are willing to deal with the risks, it is very very worth it.
As for getting pregnant on warfrin, highly risky....you'll miscarry 80 percent of the time....birth defects for the other 20. Lots of blood loss for you, could be very serious, if not fatal.
Stop the warfrin, go on Lovenox ...then get pregnant, is a better option.  (+ info)

How do you explain an air embolism in a 16 year old?

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16 year old male, taking unknown weight loss supplement for 1 year, develops chest pain/ shortness of breath while weight lifting, is ultimately found to have an air embolism in his right ventricle. Had no recent venous access, no surgeries/procedures, no prior medical history. How could this have happened??
Weight Lifting?

I may be 100% wrong, but he could be abusing steroids.

You know when you watch a medical program and they spray liquid out of a syringe and then tap the end of the needle? Well, that's to get rid of the air bubbles and to prevent air embolisms.

If you're 16 year old shot them self up with riods and didn't do this, then they could easily have given them self an air embolism.  (+ info)

Is a Pulmonary Embolism the same thing as a heart attack?

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I'ms tudying for a fnial, and I know a myocardial infarction is the same thing as a heart attack, and the pulmonary embolism is incredibly similar to both in definition. I'm looking for somebody to clarify for me.
Thanks guys. that cleared it up. the pulmonary part shoulda given it away.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung, which will certainly kill you but it's not a heart attack.  (+ info)

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