¿Qué es una embolia pulmonar? Understanding Blood Clots in the Lungs

A pulmonary embolism, commonly called PE, occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. Most pulmonary embolisms start as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in a leg vein and breaks loose to travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. Medical professionals call this traveling clot an embolus.

Why Pulmonary Embolisms Are Dangerous

Blood clots in the lungs are a serious medical emergency. A pulmonary embolism can damage lung tissue by cutting off its blood supply, potentially leading to pulmonary hypertension, a condition where pressure increases dangerously in the arteries connecting the heart and lungs. The blockage also prevents oxygen from reaching your blood at normal levels. When your blood oxygen drops, other vital organs throughout your body may not receive enough oxygen to function properly, which can cause additional organ damage.

If you suspect you have symptoms of a blood clot or pulmonary embolism, seek immediate medical attention. Early treatment of deep vein thrombosis can help prevent clots from traveling to the lungs and causing a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism.