Pulmonary Embolism Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention on MedicineNet.com

Font Size

Pulmonary Embolism (cont.)

Pulmonary embolism is a diagnosis that should be considered in patients with chest pain and is one of the causes of sudden death.
The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism may be difficult to make, and is often missed. Diagnostic strategies need to be individualized to each patient and situation.
Anticoagulation is the treatment of choice for pulmonary embolism and the patient may be required to continue treatment for months.
Prevention is the best treatment for pulmonary embolism, which can be accomplished by minimizing the risk factors for deep venous thrombosis.

Last Editorial Review: 4/18/2008

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your symptoms of pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).

Comment submissions for this question have ended.

See 29 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives) - Read about the different types of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) such as monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic. Find out which birth control pill may be the best for you.
Electrolytes - Read about blood electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicorbonate) and the effects of electrolyte imbalances like kidney failure, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.
Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.

Health categories:	Slideshows \| Diseases & Conditions \| Symptoms & Signs \| Procedures & Tests \| Medications \| Health & Living \| News & Views \| Medical Dictionary
Popular health centers:	Allergies \| Arthritis \| Cancer \| Diabetes \| Digestion \| Healthy Kids \| Heart \| Men's Health \| Mental Health \| Women's Health \| More...
Publications:	ePublications (PDFs) \| XML News via RSS \| Audio Podcasts \| Email Newsletters
MedicineNet.com:	About Us \| Privacy Policy \| Site Map \| WebMD® \| Medscape® \| eMedicine® \| eMedicineHealth® \| RxList®