Question 1

pulmonary emboli or blood clots in the lung; deadly?  very dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Can be deadly: The size of the clot dictates how dangerous it is. Very very tiny emboli may not have much clinical consequence, unless it happens frequently. A large embolus that blocks large amounts of flow to the lung can cause symptoms including shortness of breath and even cardiac arrest. Unexpected shortness of breath should always be considered an emergency and evaluated by a doctor right away!

Question 2

slightly enlarged mediastinal node on car scan... is this significant? i have stage 2b breast cancer, her 2 positive and recent pulmonary emboli

Accepted Answer

This may significant: This can be a be a very significant finding. Although biopsy may be indicated, other imaging will probably be ordered first. Certainly, do not drop the ball and follow through on your doctors recommendations.

Question 3

stage 2b, her 2 breast cancer, 40 yrs old-dx 4/13-neoadjuvant treatment. just recently diagnosis with several pulmonary emboli. what should i ask my doctor?

Accepted Answer

Blood thinners: Cancer causes the blood to get thick and can cause clots that travel to the lungs. Ask ur doc if she needs to b on blood thinners and for how long.

Question 4

smaller nonocclusive segmental and 
subsegmental emboli are not excluded. (findings) in the "impressions" says no pulmonary emboli. clot or no clot?

Accepted Answer

Mgt: The report indicates that there may still be areas with smaller clots which do not fully block the vessel.
If you are having symptoms, a repeat scan is indicated and ruling out lower extremity thrombi is advised.
A virtual appt is available online to follow up:
healthtap.com/DosanjhMD
Code: NCYHPZ

Question 5

could pulmonary emboli be caused by stress?

Accepted Answer

No: Stress is not one of the causes of pulmonary embolism.  Most embolisms originate in the legs (90%) and some originate in the arms (10-15%).  Main causes include immobility, oral contraceptives, hip/knee surgery, right heart dysfunction, cancer and inheritable/genetic abnormalities.   Stress causes a lot of medical conditions but embolism is not one of them.

Question 6

what are the long-term side effects of pulmonary emboli?

Accepted Answer

Decreased endurance: Decreased exercise endurance is one of the long term complications of pe.  Pulmonary hypertension is also seen in more severe cases.  It all depends on the magnitude of the initial insult and thrombus volume.

Question 7

should survivors of pulmonary emboli avoid exposure to aresol products like air fresheners and cleaning chemicals?

Accepted Answer

Not particularly: Everybody should avoid chemicals. Survivors of pulmonary emboli have no particular susceptibility.

Question 8

how successful is the catheter-directed high frequency ultrasound procedure in breaking up pulmonary emboli? and what is done exactly?

Accepted Answer

Can be very: successful. But I wonder why you need it. It is usually for emergencies and then you would not be able to ask this question here.

Would certainly get an independent opinion from a pulmonologist. No procedure is without side effects.

Good luck

Question 9

can anxiety be a symptom of pulmonary emboli? i had increasing anxiety for 4 months before my diagnosis, and it has disappeared during treatment.

Accepted Answer

PE: Anxiety is not a symptom of  pulmonary embolism. Sudden onset of breathing difficulties is most common. Chest pain and spitting up blood indicates infarction ( an area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation ). . Fainting indicates massive embolism.

Question 10

what is pulmonary emboli?

Accepted Answer

Usually clots: Typically it is clots traveling from an area of thrombosis like leg deep veins thrombosis DVT , clots will break loose and get stuck in the pulmonary/lung arteries. Typically cause sudden shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and chest pain sometimes .. In other occasions emboli could be fat emboli with long bone/pelvic fracture, air embolus from procedures or foreign body.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Pulmonary emboli chest pain

A member asked:

Pulmonary emboli or blood clots in the lung; deadly? very dangerous?

A member asked:

Slightly enlarged mediastinal node on car scan... is this significant? i have stage 2b breast cancer, her 2 positive and recent pulmonary emboli

A member asked:

Stage 2b, her 2 breast cancer, 40 yrs old-dx 4/13-neoadjuvant treatment. just recently diagnosis with several pulmonary emboli. what should i ask my doctor?

A member asked:

Smaller nonocclusive segmental and subsegmental emboli are not excluded. (findings) in the "impressions" says no pulmonary emboli. clot or no clot?

A member asked:

Could pulmonary emboli be caused by stress?

A member asked:

What are the long-term side effects of pulmonary emboli?

A member asked:

Should survivors of pulmonary emboli avoid exposure to aresol products like air fresheners and cleaning chemicals?

A member asked:

How successful is the catheter-directed high frequency ultrasound procedure in breaking up pulmonary emboli? and what is done exactly?

A member asked:

Can anxiety be a symptom of pulmonary emboli? i had increasing anxiety for 4 months before my diagnosis, and it has disappeared during treatment.

A member asked:

What is pulmonary emboli?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?