Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms
The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood away from your heart to the lungs. Oxygen exchange takes place in the capillaries, and the now-oxygenated blood flows back to the heart via the pulmonary veins. The heart then pumps the blood to the rest of the body, where the tissues crave the oxygen it carries. A pulmonary embolism interferes with this process by blocking the flow of blood to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries. Not only does this disrupt the flow of blood to the lungs, it also prevents the heart from providing oxygen-rich blood to the other areas of the body that need it.
A pulmonary embolism is an emergency requiring immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, however, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms are very similar to those of a heart attack. Doctors at the emergency room must quickly perform tests to diagnose the cause of the symptoms. It is possible to survive a PE, but the chances decrease the longer it takes to get treatment. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms and seek emergency help immediately.
