A pulmonary embolism is an abrupt blockage of one of the central pulmonary arteries of the lungs. The blockage may be caused by a blood clot that may have formed elsewhere in the body and then traveled to the lungs. The local lung tissue is prone to necrosis (tissue death) with restricted blood flow. Consequently, the blood oxygenation level drops to critically low levels. Pulmonary embolism can be a serious life-threatening condition and require prompt medical attention.

The Heart and Blood Vessels

The Heart and Blood Vessels are two vital organs in the body. The heart pumps blood throughout the body. Blood passes through blood vessels. These two organs are vital because they help us to live. They enable us to breathe, speak, walk, move, and think. We cannot live without them. If these organs were to fail, we would die immediately. The heart beats about 60,000 times per day. The human heart has four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium and left ventricle. Blood passes from the right atrium into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you are feeling sick, you might think it is your job to diagnose yourself. However, a doctor will usually diagnose you. A doctor can look at your history, physical examination, symptoms, and sometimes tests. Your doctor can tell you what is wrong with you and what treatment you need. If you are a patient at a hospital, the doctors will usually ask you questions. You might have to answer a lot of questions. Your doctor might ask you to show them your tongue, stomach, lungs, and other body parts. Your doctor will then examine your history and symptoms and do a physical examination. If necessary, your doctor will ask you to have some blood tests.

Warning Signs

A doctor should be able to diagnose a person who has warning signs of disease. Warning signs are a signal that a person has a disease. If a person has warning signs of a disease, they should see a doctor as soon as possible. Preventing Pulmonary Embolism A pulmonary embolism happens when a blood clot gets into a blood vessel in the lungs. It is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). A pulmonary embolism happens when someone smokes or is exposed to smoke. Some people have a genetic predisposition to develop a pulmonary embolism. The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can vary. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Pain in the chest.
• A sudden decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood.
• Palpitations.

If you have any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately. Warning signs for a pulmonary embolism include sudden symptoms, severe chest pain, and sudden weight gain. Visit us at one of our convenient locations in forest hill, East meadow, Bronx, Brooklyn, Jackson height and little neck.