Life After Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary Embolism is lung damage caused by arteries blocked by blood clots. However, do you know what causes blood clots in the lungs? What about the life expectancy of sufferers of this condition? Find the answer to Life After Pulmonary Embolism: Life Changes Recovery and Treatment.

 

Lung Embolism at a Glance

Pulmonary embolism is a type of common cardiovascular disease, in which the patient experiences a sudden blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs.

The disease is caused mainly by a blood clot that rises from one of the veins in the leg. As a result, oxygen is prevented from reaching the tissues of the lungs and can be life-threatening to the patient.

 

How serious is Pulmonary Embolism, and what is the cause of its increased chances?

Pulmonary embolism is a very serious disease and causes complications in the human body. For example, sudden collapse due to blood clots, heart function is stopped indelible, resulting in sudden cardiac arrest or death.

The likelihood of developing pulmonary embolism increases for those who are inactive for long periods for various reasons such as serious limb injury, any type of surgery, and the potential for blood clotting.

Rest in a long bed can also cause damage to blood vessels. When the patient stretches the legs to move, it is possible that trauma to the legs can cause a pulmonary embolism. In addition, pulmonary embolism can also be caused for the following reasons:

• Especially for women who are overweight, active smokers, and have high blood pressure.
• During pregnancy, the pelvis can generally slow down the blood flow from the legs of pregnant women due to the weight of the baby in the womb. During this time, there is a high probability for pregnant women to get a blood clot.
• When women take birth control pills over a long period, the chances of getting a pulmonary embolism increase because birth control pills contain estrogen which increases the likelihood of blood clots.

 

How long is the Survival Rate of Pulmonary Embolism?

The chances of survival from pulmonary embolism can be detected from symptoms and timely treatment. However, it is difficult to detect pulmonary embolism if it is still in its early stages.

Some symptoms that must be taken seriously that characterize the onset of the disease are:

• Shortness of breath for no reason
• Certain chest pains
• Blood in cough

If a person experiences the symptoms mentioned above, then it is appropriate to immediately check with a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. If pulmonary embolism is not detected at an early stage and treatment does not begin early, then it is certain that the survival rate will be reduced.

Just by determining the presence of pulmonary embolism alone is not enough, it is very important to determine the seriousness of pulmonary embolism and start appropriate treatment procedures.

 

There are several treatment procedures available such as:

• Thrombolytic treatment
• Cardiovascular resuscitation
• Sync

 

In most cases, the patient should undergo other treatments such as:

• Blood clot removal treatment
• Open heart surgery
• Catheter-based treatments
• Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

If the condition is not too severe, of course, the patient does not need to undergo surgery. The doctor will suggest oral medications to thin the blood. In addition, the doctor may also ask the patient to use heparin or warfarin with the same function as oral.

The survival rate of pulmonary embolism can increase due to early detection and proper treatment. Also, know about How To Prevent Pulmonary Embolism.

How long does it take to recover from Pulmonary Embolism?

The exact amount of time it takes to recover from Pulmonary Embolism differs by individual. Many people can fully recover and return to their normal activity levels after a few weeks or months.

Some symptoms may subside when you receive treatment. However, it is not uncommon for shortness of breath or chest pain to continue for weeks, months, or even years.