Pulmonary embolisms: Risks, warning signs and how to lower your chances

(Aging Untold) — Pulmonary embolisms can happen when a blood clot travels to the lungs. They’re uncommon but can quickly turn serious.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said pulmonary embolisms, also known as PEs, are rare but can be life-threatening.

“It’s where you have a blood clot that is formed in the body and it’s dislodged and makes its way to the lungs and so when we see that happen it’s pretty sudden,” Rogers said. “And depending on the location of where it lodges in the lung, depends on pretty much on your outcome.”

How pulmonary embolisms develop

Many PEs start as a deep vein thrombosis, a DVT, often in the leg, that breaks loose and travels to the lungs, where it can block blood flow.

Rogers said limited movement is a major risk factor, especially when other issues are in play.

“Any condition to where you’re not really very mobile, is a setup for that and then certain medications making your blood thicker put that on top of injury to a vessel and the cascade of what’s going on and the body starts releasing these inflammatory cascades and clotting factors,” Rogers said.

Warning signs and treatment

Bigger clots can cause sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, and can turn deadly fast. Treatment is often with blood thinners, and getting checked quickly matters.

Risk can be higher after surgery or trauma, with a family or personal history and with long periods of limited movement, including during travel.

Prevention steps

For prevention, Rogers said keep blood moving.

“After every two hours at least get up and move, take a break you know 10 or 15 minutes if you can,” Rogers said. “Other strategies that you can use, you can use compression stockings so those compression stockings are actually compressing so that blood flow is moving.”

People who are at higher risk or can’t move much should talk with their doctor before they travel.