Will an oxygen tank help with pulmonary embolism?

Yes: A pulmonary embolism causes the blood to have difficulty getting oxygenated as it passes through the lungs. Patient will experience shortness of breath and use of oxygen will help get more oxygen into the blood to circulate to the tissues. Generally the shortness of breath resolves and the use of oxygen is not needed after a period of time.

No: If your blood oxygen level is close to normal, then extra oxygen will not help you feel better. If you have a simple test called a pulse oximeter (no needles) with a oxygen saturation level 89% or higher, then it is not likely that oxygen help. Also, oxygen won't help the clot break up faster. Also, if the saturation is >88%, then insurance won't cover the cost.

Depends...: In severe pulmonary embolism, the oxygen level in the body may decrease to levels that require supplemental oxygen. Most of these patients would be hospitalized for their treatment and once the clot resolves, oxygen level should return to baseline levels.