About this topic
A pulmonary embolism, or PE, happens when a blood clot travels from another part of the body to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood clot blocks or lodges in one of the blood vessels. The clot often comes from the leg veins. ‚
The goal of treatment is to break up clots and prevent other clots from forming. Treatment may include drugs, a tube put into the blood vessel to remove the clot, or a filter put into the vein in the leg to prevent clots from going to the lungs. Sometimes, surgery is needed to remove the clot. Once the PE is treated, you may need to take a drug to prevent clots from forming for at least 3 months, and sometimes for as long as you are at risk. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all your drugs as directed. Be sure to follow your doctors advice for testing. This way you will know if you are taking the right amount of drugs.
- Do not miss doses of your drugs.
- Get your drugs refilled before you run out of them.
- If you take blood thinners:
- Check for any bleeding from your nose or gums.
- Check for any blood in your urine or from your bowels.
- Prevent bruising or bleeding. Be careful not to fall, bump, or cut yourself. If you do cut yourself, you need to hold pressure over the area until bleeding stops. If bleeding does not stop, call your doctor.
- Use an electric shaver, rather than a blade, to shave.
- Use a soft toothbrush and waxed floss.
- Avoid harmful activities, like contact sports.
- Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen while taking blood thinners.
If you had surgery, ask your doctor about how to care for your area where the surgery was done. ‚
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work and driving
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to have regular blood tests if you are taking blood thinners like warfarin.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent and dissolve blood clots
- Help with pain
Will physical activity be limited?
- Walking can speed up recovery. It may also help prevent other blood clots.
- To help increase blood flow to your lower legs, point your toes and then bring them back toward your knees. Repeat this motion 10 times, 2 to 3 times a day
- Water exercise or swimming may also be helpful.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Drink lots of fluids. Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and caffeine.
- If you are taking blood thinners, such as warfarin, you want to limit foods very high in vitamin K. These include green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and greens. Other foods such as broccoli, cabbage, okra, scallions, and brussels sprouts are also high in vitamin K. Talk to your doctor about your diet.
- Lose weight or keep a healthy weight. Being overweight adds pressure on your veins.
What problems could happen?
- Another blood clot could form
- Bleeding problems due to taking blood thinners
- A fall where you hit your head while on a blood thinner
- Lung damage
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Prevent clots from forming.
- Quit smoking. Smoking causes the blood to get sticky and you are 2 to 4 times more likely to form clots if you smoke. If you have problems quitting, ask for help.
- Exercise often. Be active and increase walking.
- Do not stay in bed or sit for many hours. Do not sit with your legs crossed. This can make blood flow problems worse.
- When driving or traveling in a car, stop every hour to get out and stretch your legs.
- If you travel by plane, move or walk around and stretch your legs at least every 30 minutes.
- If you have a history of having deep vein clots, wear elastic or compression stockings. This will improve blood flow in your legs and lower the risk of blood clots forming.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden chest tightness or pain, often sharp or knife-like, when taking a deep breath
- Sudden cough, possibly coughing up blood or bloody mucus
- Sudden shortness of breath or rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Cold, clammy skin and sweating
- Blue skin color
- Fainting
- Anxiety
- If you are on blood thinners, call the doctor if you cant stop any bleeding.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what extra care is needed if I am on blood thinners.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have sudden chest pain when taking a deep breath.
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/embolus-embolie/index_e.php ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pe/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pulmonary-embolism/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Vascular Web ‚
http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/pulmonary-embolism.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚