Pulmonary Embolism

WHAT IS PULMONARY EMBOLISM? "A pulmonary embolism (embolus) is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. It is due to a blockage in a blood vessel in the lungs. A Pulmonary embolism (PE) can cause symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness but may have no symptoms and be hard to detect. A massive PE can cause collapse and death. PE usually happens due to an underlying blood clot in the leg - deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Prompt treatment is important and can be life-saving. Pregnancy, various medical conditions and medicines, immobility and major surgery all increase the risk of a PE. Anticoagulation, initially with heparin and then warfarin, is the usual treatment for PE. " Pulmonary embolism (PE) is part of a group of problems together known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Venous means related to veins. A thrombosis is a blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot (a thrombus). An embolism occurs when part or all of the thrombus dislo