What is a pulmonary embolus?

Block in lung artery: An embolus is something that can float through blood and then plugs the flow. It's usually a blood clot or air. A pulmonary infarct occurs when the embolus goes to a pulmonary artery and the lung down stream dies from lack of oxygen. Depending on the severity the clot can be retrieved, dissolved with blood thinners or left alone. Treatment should also include prevention of another.

Blood clot : A pulmonary embolus is an object, usually a blood clot, that has traveled from another part of your body to the lung, via the blood stream. Most pes lodge in the branches of the pulmonary atery. Untreated (or even treated) pes can be fatal or lead to significant injury.

Blockage of blood: Embolism is something that blocks proper flow of blood in the body. An embolism is usually a blood clot that can forms in your veins or arteries that can lodge in dangerous places in your circulatory system. Venous embolisms can cause catastrophic breathing problems. Air, fat and a few other things can also be a type of embolism that blocks blood flow.