lung and airway disorders
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism symptoms depend on the extent that the pulmonary artery is blocked and on the person’s overall health. For example, people who have another disease, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (COPD) or Small emboli may not cause any symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they often develop abruptly. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include Shortness of breath Chest pain Light-headedness or fainting Shortness of breath may be the only symptom, especially if pulmonary infarction does not develop. Often, the breathing is very rapid, and the person may feel anxious or restless and appear to have an anxiety attack. Some people have pain in the chest. The heartbeat may become rapid, irregular, or both. In some people, particularly those with very large emboli, the first pulmonary embolism symptoms are light-headedness or loss of consciousness. Blood pressure may drop dangerously low (a condition called Shock ), the skin may be cool, light skin may have a blue color whereas dark skin may appear gray (cyanosis), and the person could suddenly die. In older people, the first symptom of pulmonary embolism may be confusion or deterioration of mental function. These symptoms usually result from a sudden decrease in the heart’s ability to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain and other organs. Pulmonary infarction is when some lung tissue does not receive enough blood flow and oxygen and therefore dies due to blockage of a lung blood vessel by a pulmonary embolus. The symptoms of pulmonary infarction develop over hours. If pulmonary infarction occurs, the person may cough up blood-stained sputum, have sharp chest pain when breathing in, and in some cases have a fever. Symptoms of infarction often last several days but usually become milder every day. In those rare people who have recurring emboli, the blood pressure in the lungs' blood vessels can increase (called pulmonary hypertension) repeatedly, causing Causes . This increase in blood pressure can cause symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles or legs, and weakness, which tend to develop progressively over, months, or years. 