04.07.2021 – 20:17
Learn the first signs of blood clots in the lungs. Who is most at risk?
The symptoms of pulmonary embolism – blockages in the pulmonary arteries that are usually caused by blood clots – can vary greatly. Depending on the part of the lung that is affected and the size of the blockage, you may experience some of the common signs and symptoms, such as the following:
Sudden shortness of breath that worsens with straining
Chest pain that may get worse when you take a deep breath
Pain when you cough, eat or bend over
Pain that worsens with exercise but does not go away completely when you rest
Cough, which can bring bloody mucus
Other signs and symptoms may include:
Pain, swelling in the legs, or both, often in the pelvis
Soft skin or skin with a blue tinge
fever
Sweating
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Dizziness
What happens during a pulmonary embolism
During a pulmonary embolism or PE, the most typical scenario is that a blood clot is pumped from the heart to the lungs, through the pulmonary artery. The branches of the pulmonary artery supply blood to each lung, and blood clots can be placed at various points along the way, in the vessels that carry blood to the lungs. If a blood clot is large enough, it can block and completely block a large vessel, which can be life-threatening. It is also possible for a blood clot to be so small that it basically goes unnoticed, causing only a small portion of the lungs to feel its effects.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A variety of tests can be done to diagnose pulmonary embolism, including a ventilation-perfusion scan, a high-resolution CT scan, or a pulmonary angiogram.
Treatments for pulmonary embolism depend on the severity and extent of the clot. If the symptoms are not severe, blood thinners may be used and precautions taken to prevent further development of clots. For large and strong clots, clotting dissolving medicines like those used to open heart vessels during a heart attack can be used.
Clotting and bleeding in cancer patients
Blood clots are common in cancer patients and cancer patients may be at increased risk of blood clots for a variety of reasons, including cancer, itself, and also various treatments for cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy may increase the risk of blood clots.
It may seem counterintuitive, but bleeding disorders may also be more common in people with blood cancer. This can be understood as follows: Generally, when there is a problem with the body clotting system, a person may be at risk for either excessive bleeding or clotting, depending on the circumstances.
It is important to know that a cancer patient may be at greater risk for blood clotting problems such as pulmonary embolism. However, it is also important to put this risk in perspective. In general, the chances of developing a pulmonary embolism are still quite low.
Although receiving treatment through a central venous catheter may increase the risk of EPs, such treatment can be life-saving for many cancer patients. Doctors are aware of the risks for EP in different presentations of blood cancer, and with different treatments and interventions. As an educated patient, knowledge of PE symptoms and alertness can help the physician act quickly, if necessary.
