Medical Health Care Advices

What is a pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel leading to the lung suffers an occlusion of a blood clot.

The clot may have traveled into the general circulation from a vein in the pelvic area, abdomen or, more commonly, from a vein in the legs.

Who can have a pulmonary embolism?

There are situations that favor a pulmonary embolism, the most important are:

- Elderly people who spend most of the day in bed.

- Patients suffering from cancer. However, having a pulmonary embolism does not mean cancer.- After surgery requiring bed rest for a long period of time.

- There are families with a tendency to suffer from pulmonary embolisms. Usually have a genetic problem with clotting.

- People who are overweight.

- After a long journey during which he has been still for a prolonged period of time. This causes a stagnation of blood in the legs, sometimes causing a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg, which we call deep vein thrombosis. It occurs most frequently in the long trans-Atlantic flights, leading to so-called “economy class syndrome.”

- Pelvic fractures and fractures of the lower limbs due to immobilization for forced.

- Pregnant women. Pregnancy increases the risk of pulmonary embolism.

Due to the risk of pulmonary embolism, it is important that the elderly do not stay in bed longer than necessary. People who have recently undergone surgery should walk as soon as possible following the instructions of your doctor.

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