Pulmonary Embolism is a medical condition in which a blood clot appears in the blood vessel of lungs. It is a serious medical condition that needs treatment immediately. If you want to know, what causes a lung blood clot? This article will guide you about it.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot becomes lodged in one of the arteries that connect the heart to the lungs. The clot prevents the normal flow of blood. The pulmonary artery transports blood from your heart to your lungs. The blood is oxygenated in the lungs before returning to the heart, which pumps the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.
A blood clot in the lung is a serious condition that is a leading cause of death. Every year, nearly a million cases of this occur in the United States. One in every three blood clots in the lung will cause death. A blood clot in the lung can reduce one’s life expectancy and quality of life.
What are the Symptoms of Lung Blood Clot?
A pulmonary embolism causes shortness of breath, pain in and around the chest, and coughing. Pulmonary embolism which is caused by a blood clot, is a serious but treatable condition if treated promptly. Here are the symptoms of lung blood clot (PE);
- Sudden breathing difficulties: This symptom usually appears suddenly and worsens with exertion.
- Chest pain: You might think you’re having a heart attack. The pain is often sharp and felt when you breathe in deeply, preventing you from taking a deep breath. It’s also noticeable when you cough, bend, or stoop.
- Cough: Coughing may result in bloody or blood-streaked sputum.
- Skin that is pale, clammy, or bluish in color.
- A fast heartbeat (pulse) / tachycardia
- Sweating excessively.
- Feeling anxious, faint, or Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fever
- Leg pain or swelling, or both, usually in the calf caused by a deep vein thrombosis
What Causes a Lung Blood Clot?
When a blood vessel in your lungs becomes blocked, it causes a pulmonary embolism. The majority of the time, this blockage is caused by a blood clot and occurs unexpectedly.
A pulmonary embolism is typically caused by a blood clot travelling up from one of your body’s deep veins, usually in the leg. Deep vein thrombosis is the medical term for this type of blood clot (DVT).
Multiple clots are often involved in pulmonary embolism. Each blocked artery deprives portions of the lung of blood and may cause death. This is referred to as a pulmonary infarction. This makes it harder for your lungs to supply oxygen to the rest of your body.
A blood clot may form as a result of a change in your physical condition, such as pregnancy or recent surgery. In about 20-30% of cases, your doctor may be unable to determine the cause of a pulmonary embolism. This is known as an ‘unprovoked’ pulmonary embolism.
Other than blood clots, other substances can cause blockages in the blood vessels, such as:
- Fat extracted from a broken long bone’s marrow
- A tumor fragments
- Bubbles of air
What are the Risk Factors for Lung Blood Clot?
The risk factors for Pulmonary embolism/ lung blood clot are the same as those for Deep vein thrombosis.
- Blood that is more prone to clotting. Doctors refer to this as hypercoagulability.
- Medication, such as birth control pills, could be to blame.
- You may also be at risk if you smoke, have cancer, have recently had surgery, or are pregnant.
- Cardiovascular disease, specifically heart failure, makes clot formation more likely.
- A blood vessel wall has been damaged. This can be caused by an injury to your lower leg.
- People who have severe COVID-19 symptoms are at a higher risk of pulmonary embolism.
- Some inherited disorders cause blood to clot more easily. Other medical conditions, such as kidney disease, can raise your risk of blood clots.
- Sitting in an uncomfortable position for long periods of time on a plane or in a car slows blood flow in the legs, which contributes to the formation of clots.
- Being restricted to bed for an extended period of time following surgery, a heart attack, a leg fracture, trauma, or any serious illness increases your risk of blood clots. When the lower extremities are horizontal for extended periods of time, the flow of venous blood slows and blood can pool in the legs, resulting in blood clots.
- An artery in the lung can be blocked by something other than a clot in rare cases, such as an air bubble or a tumor fragment. When a large bone is broken, fat from the bone marrow can sometimes enter the bloodstream and cause a blockage.
How To Prevent Lung Blood Clot?
The best way to avoid a pulmonary embolism is to prevent blood clots from forming deep within your veins. This can be difficult if you’ve been on bed rest due to surgery or illness. If you are at risk, here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting these dangerous blood clots:
- Blood Thinners (anticoagulants): These medications are frequently given to people at risk of clotting before and after surgery, as well as to people admitted to the hospital with medical conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, or cancer complications.
- Exercise: When you’re recovering from a long hospital stay or an illness that has kept you in bed for too long, get out of bed and walk. It will keep the blood flowing in your legs, preventing it from pooling.
- Compression stockings: They squeeze your legs steadily, allowing your veins and leg muscles to move blood more efficiently. They provide a safe, simple, and low-cost method of preventing blood stagnation during and after general surgery.
- Lifestyle changes: Quit smoking and drinking. Reduce your body weight and eat healthy diet.
- Elevate your legs: Elevating your legs when possible, especially at night, can be very beneficial. Blocks or books can be used to raise the bottom of your bed 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm).
Take your medications, and discuss any changes with your doctor if you have other health issues, such as diabetes or heart failure. Talk to your doctor about your risk of blood clots if you plan to use hormones, such as birth control or replacement therapy.
The risk of blood clots developing while travelling is low, but it increases with long-distance travel. If you have blood clot risk factors and are concerned about travelling, consult your doctor before you go.
If you are seeking treatment for Pulmonary embolism, you can consult the best vascular surgeons of Pakistan through marham.pk.
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FAQs
How dangerous is a blood clot in the lung?
A blood clot in the lung is a serious condition that is a leading cause of death. Every year, nearly a million cases of this occur in the United States. One in every three blood clots in the lung will cause death. A blood clot in the lung can reduce one’s life expectancy and quality of life.
Can a person recover from blood clots in the lungs?
The recovery time from blood clots in the lungs varies from person to person. Many people recover in a matter of months. They may need to continue taking medication during this time to prevent further blood clots. People must sometimes take medications indefinitely.