What is a Pulmonary Embolism?
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the blood vessels in the lungs, which happens when part of a blood clot blocks the blood supply to your lungs. Most cases develop when a blood clot travels from the deep veins in your leg and up to your lungs.
Having deep vein thrombosis increases your risk of the condition.
How common is a Pulmonary Embolism?
In the UK every year one in 1,000 people develop deep vein thrombosis. Around one in ten of these people will develop a pulmonary embolism.
Every year, one in every 1,000 people in the UK develops DVT, and around one in 10 people with untreated DVT will develop a pulmonary embolism.
What are the symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism?
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may vary depending on size. You may feel very breathless, chest pains with breathing, dizziness, fainting spells and sudden collapse.
How is a Pulmonary Embolism treated?
A pulmonary embolism is treated with drugs that aim to break down the clot causing the problem. The drugs are called anticoagulants, and prevent the blood clots from getting bigger.
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