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Pulmonary embolism occurs when blood clots travel to the lung and lodge in the lung arteries. The clots come from clot formations (thrombi) in the veins, particularly in the legs and pelvis, that dislodge and travel in the bloodstream through the right chambers of the heart and into the branching arteries that provide blood to the lungs. If the size of the blood clot that enters the lung is massive, a pulmonary embolism can be rapidly fatal due to inability of blood to circulate through the lungs. If the amount of clot is small, only one or more portions of lung may be deprived of blood and damaged (infarction), leading to shortness of breath, chest pain with breathing (pleurisy) and bloody sputum. Multiple and repeated embolism can lead to chronic impairment of blood circulation through the lungs and cause a form of heart failure.

In some cases of massive embolism in which prompt diagnosis and emergency treatment is possible, the clot may be removed surgically. In the more common circumstance of smaller emboli, prompt diagnosis and treatment with blood-thinning drugs and, rarely, surgery, may prevent more clots from reaching the lung.

Prevention is an important part of the picture. Blood clots in the leg veins are particularly common after an operation. That’s why early activity including walking is important following surgery. If that’s not possible, leg exercises and support stockings can reduce the risk of clot formation