Common symptoms of pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism occurs when either of the pulmonary arteries is being blocked due to something. This blockage is generally caused by a blood clot migrated from other parts of the body; however, this is not always the case. This blockage can also be created by air bubbles, fats from the bone marrow let loose into blood during a fracture, or due to amniotic fluid.
A pulmonary embolism cuts off the supply of blood. This has two consequences: either the lung tissue starved of blood dies off (pulmonary infarct) or the oxygen level in the lung diminishes. Pulmonary embolism symptoms are normally experienced due to reduced oxygen levels in the blood.
Pulmonary embolism can be life threatening and needs immediate medical attention. The treatments are aimed at dissolving the clot quickly and restoring the circulation. Anticoagulant heparin is frequently used.
Normally the body’s mechanisms keep blood from clotting. However, there are factors that encourage clot formation like slow circulation and stagnation especially in the legs. These factors also include traveling for long distances, sitting in cramped spaces, post surgery, heart attacks, fractures, long bed rests, surgeries like knee replacements, pregnancy, treatments with estrogens, obesity, and breast cancers.
It is critical that the public is aware of pulmonary embolism symptoms. Otherwise, there is always a possibility that a potentially dangerous condition becomes life threatening.