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Pulmonary Embolism- Symptoms, Treatment, and Preventions

  • Author by admin
  • Reviewed By admin
  • Last Edited : August 4, 2024
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When a blood clot from another region of the body (often the leg or arm) travels through the circulation and gets trapped in the blood arteries of the lung, this condition is known as a pulmonary embolism. It results in a reduction in the amount of blood that can flow to the lungs. This leads to a decrease in the amount of oxygen found in the lungs and an increase in the blood pressure found in the pulmonary arteries.

A “thrombus” is the medical term for a blood clot that forms in a vein and remains in that location. An embolus is a term used to describe what happens when a blood clot breaks away from the wall of a vein and goes to another location in the body. This article will discuss the symptoms, treatments, and preventions of Pulmonary Embolism.

  • Pulmonary embolism often starts as a blood clot in the legs, called deep vein thrombosis.
  • Sudden shortness of breath and chest pain are key symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.
  • Blood thinners are the primary treatment for preventing and managing pulmonary embolisms.
  • Prolonged immobility, like during long flights or bed rest, increases the risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.
  • Compression stockings improve blood flow and help prevent blood clots.
  • Diagnosing a pulmonary embolism typically involves imaging tests such as CT scans and ultrasounds

Are You Vulnerable To Pulmonary Embolism?

Pulmonary Embolism may cause damage to the heart or lungs and even death if it is  not treated as early as possible.

Those who have any of the following characteristics are more likely to develop a blood clot:

  • People have been forced to remain idle or immobile for extended periods due to surgery or bed rest.
  • Those who have a record of a blood clotting problem, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, possibly in your personal life or in your ancestors.
  • Persons with a family history of cancer are currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
  • Those who have a family history of cardiovascular disease or a stroke. 
  • If you are healthy weight or obese.
  • Patients who have had an injury or damage to a vein in the recent past, either because of a recent operation, a fracture, or varicose veins.
  • Women who are currently pregnant or have given birth within the last month and a half.
  • Women who take part in hormone replacement treatment or birth control tablets.  

The Diagnosis Of Pulmonary Embolism

The following diagnostic procedures are often used to identify pulmonary Embolism:

  • CT scan, which stands for computed tomography.
  • Lung scan.
  • Blood tests (including the D-dimer test).
  • Pulmonary angiography.
  • Patients who cannot undergo an X-ray due to dye allergies or are too unwell to leave their hospital room may have blood clots in their legs identified via ultrasound.
  • Imaging using magnetic resonance technology (MRI) of the lungs or legs.

Potential Treatments Of Pulmonary Embolism

In most cases, treatment for pulmonary Embolism occurs in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, so doctors may carefully monitor your condition. The severity of the clot usually determines the duration of your therapy and the time you will spend in the hospital.

Potential treatment options include:

  • Anticoagulant drugs, sometimes known as blood thinners
  • Thrombolytics
  • Hold-ups or compression tights
  • Surgery
  • Interventional therapies to increase blood flow and decrease the likelihood of future blood clots  

On the other hand, the specifics of your health problem determine which therapy alternatives are open to you.

Medications To Prevent Blood Clotting

Medication that prevents blood clots is the primary therapy component in most instances (also called blood thinners). Anticoagulants reduce the capacity of the blood to clot and inhibit the formation of new clots in the blood.

Your diagnosis will determine the sort of medicine that will be provided to you, how long you are required to take the drug, and the type of follow-up monitoring that you will need. 

Some examples of anticoagulant medicines are:

  • Warfarin
  • Heparin 
  • Low-molecular-weight heparin
  • Fondaparinux 

But you should never take any medicine without your practitioner’s recommendation. Make sure to attend all of the follow-up visits that have been planned with your physician as well as the laboratory. It will regularly monitor any reactions to the medicine.

What Is Follow-Up Care Needed After Treatment?

Your follow-up care will comprise regular blood tests while you are on anticoagulants, including the following:

The Prothrombin time (PT or protime)/International Normalized Ratio (INR) test (h3)

This test measures how long it takes thrombin to clot blood. Your international normalized ratio (INR) can assist your doctor in determining how quickly your blood is clotting and whether or not the dosage of your medicine needs to be adjusted. If you are currently on Coumadin, you must undergo this test to monitor your condition.

Activated Partial Thromboplastin, Often Known as APTT

This blood test examines how much time it takes for the blood to clot, and its acronym, APTT, often refers to it.

Anti-Xa or Heparin Assay

This test determines the amount of heparin in the blood with a low molecular weight. In most cases, it is not required to do this test unless one of the following conditions applies: being overweight, having a renal illness, or being pregnant.

How To Prevent Pulmonary Embolism

You can avoid the condition by making the following changes in your lifestyle:

Exercise

Make it an integral part of your life. If you are confined to bed while you recover after surgery, you can wear compression stockings to keep blood moving through your body.

Consume A Lot of Fluids

Fluids like water and juice help in preventing clots.

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages and caffeine

Quit Smoking

Smoking and obesity also become causes of blood clotting, so avoid both situations.

Stay Active

Walk your feet and legs, bend your knees, and try standing on your toes if you have to remain stationary for extended amounts of time.

Takeaway

Coughing, abrupt shortness of breath, and discomfort in the chest and around the chest are some pulmonary embolism symptoms. If consistently you are facing the condition, then you must be alarmed. Reaching your doctor timely can save you. Besides medication, your practitioner will ask you to use hold-ups, compression stockings, or supportive stockings with graduated compression. Discuss ways to lower your risk factors with your primary care physician, particularly if you or a family member have ever suffered from a blood clot.

Pulmonary Embolism- Symptoms, Treatment, and Preventions

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