Can pulmonary embolism slowly choke me to death instead of instantly kill me?

It can happen: Severe acute pulmonary embolism (PE) causes marked shortness of breath, choking, shock and even sudden death. Less severe PE can cause anything from NO symptoms moderately severe. Chronic pulmonary emboli or thrombosis (occlusion) of the arteries in the lungs can cause severe symptoms and be deadly. See a lung specialist if you haven't yet.