Who is likely to have a pulmonary embolism?

Depends: There are multiple risk factors for getting a pulmonary embolism. The main ones include right heart failure, immobility, lower extremity surgery, trauma to the leg, inheritable clotting disorders, having a solid organ cancer, and taking oral contraceptives.

Surgery and cancer: The highest risk is in orthopedic surgery such as knee and hip replacement or hip fractures. Cancer is a common cause as is trauma of any kind to the legs. Immobility can also increase the risk of thromboembolic disease. About 8% of the population have an increased risk of clots genetically. Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy have also been associated.

Risk factors: Risk factor for pulmonary embolism, or blood clot in the lung, includes immobility and blood vessel injury. Patients at bed rest or who are less mobile due to a long plane or car ride are examples of people at risk for blood clots. Most pulmonary emboli originate as a blood clot in the legs but other sources are also possible.

See below....: Risk factors - sedentary, smokers, people with cancer, going on long plane or car rides, taking hormones, especially birth control pills