What Is a Pulmonary Embolism?

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Schematic illustration of a blood clot obstructing a pulmonary blood vessel, not to scale

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in an artery in the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot that has travelled from elsewhere in the body. The clot commonly begins in a deep vein in the leg, a condition called deep vein thrombosis. If part breaks loose, it can travel through the bloodstream and lodge in a lung artery.

The problem concerns blood flow, rather than an object blocking the airway. The pulmonary arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. An obstruction interrupts that circulation. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains that low blood oxygen can be a sign of a clot and that imaging and blood tests help doctors establish the diagnosis.

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, pain with deep breathing, rapid breathing or a faster heartbeat. They may appear suddenly or develop more slowly. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening; anyone who suspects it should seek urgent medical care rather than try to diagnose it from symptoms alone.

 

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