Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
What are the causes of pulmonary embolism? When blood flow slows due to prolonged immobility, it tends to clot. In turn, when a clot forms in a "deep vein" in the leg—those situated far beneath the "superficial veins" on the surface of the leg—a danger arises.
A piece of this blockage (called an "embolus") can become dislodged and migrate easily to the lungs. The result? A pulmonary embolism.
As a deep vein thrombosis complication, a pulmonary embolism can be an extremely serious event. While not always fatal, the condition is a leading cause of hospital deaths—60,000 in the United States alone, every year, in fact.
Common symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:
- Shortness of breath
- Sharp, stabbing chest pain that resembles a heart attack, in that it can radiate to your shoulder, arm, neck or jaw. Pain often worsens as you breathe deeply (pleurisy) or move around, but won't disappear at rest.
- Cough that produces blood or blood-streaked phlegm
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Wheezing
The risk of pulmonary embolism merely underscores the importance of seeking early DVT diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for deep vein thrombosis. At John C. Lincoln, we offer an innovative treatment for DVT, using the advanced AngioJet® Rheolytic Thrombectomy System.