Can you live a normal life with PE?

While a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, most patients survive and need to learn how to live with the risk of recurrence. Your healthcare provider may prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which may be needed for as little as three months but can be required for the remainder of a patient's life.

Can you live with pulmonary embolism?

With proper diagnosis and treatment, a PE is seldom fatal. However, an untreated PE can be serious, leading to other medical complications, including death. About 33% of people with a pulmonary embolism die before they get a diagnosis and treatment.

Will I ever feel normal after pulmonary embolism?

Most people will make a full recovery after a pulmonary embolism and do not experience long-term complications.

Can I work with a pulmonary embolism?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the nature of your work you may feel able to return to work within weeks. Your DVT nurse will be able to advise you about when it might be suitable to return to work.

Should you walk around with a pulmonary embolism?

Try to walk several times a day. Walking helps keep blood moving in your legs. Before doing other types of exercise, ask your doctor what type and level of exercise is safe for you.

A patient's perspective of living with Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Should you be on bed rest with a pulmonary embolism?

It is thought that ambulation may dislodge blood clots. However the impact of bed rest versus early ambulation has not been well researched. Although bed rest is commonly taught as part of treatment for acute DVT/PE, bed rest is associated with a longer hospital stay and muscle disuse has several negative effects.

How long does it take for lungs to heal after pulmonary embolism?

Recovery can take weeks to months, though there are some complications that can lead to long-lasting symptoms. It's important to take medication as prescribed and stay as active as possible to prevent further blood clots.

Is a pulmonary embolism a big deal?

A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. About one-third of people with an undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don't survive. When the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly, however, that number drops dramatically.

How long does it take for blood clots to dissolve in your lungs?

A DVT or pulmonary embolism can take weeks or months to totally dissolve. Even a surface clot, which is a very minor issue, can take weeks to go away. If you have a DVT or pulmonary embolism, you typically get more and more relief as the clot gets smaller.

What not to do while on blood thinners?

Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed. You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities.

Are your lungs damaged after pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolism (PE) can cause a lack of blood flow that leads to lung tissue damage. It can cause low blood oxygen levels that can damage other organs in the body, too. A PE, particularly a large PE or many clots, can quickly cause serious life-threatening problems and, even death.

Do most people survive pulmonary embolism?

If left untreated, acute pulmonary embolism is associated with a mortality rate as high as 30%. When diagnosed and treated promptly, the death rate of pulmonary embolism is 8%, however, up to 10% of patients with acute onset pulmonary embolism die suddenly.

What are the lasting effects of pulmonary embolism?

The physical symptoms like dyspnoea, dizziness, chest pain, and discomfort during physical activity may continue and even become a chronic condition, although no residual thrombus is visible in the scans that are taken [7,8,9,10].

What are the chances of surviving a blood clot in the lung?

Recent findings: The death rate after pulmonary embolism is less than 5% during 3-6 months of anticoagulant treatment, provided that the patient is hemodynamically stable and free of major underlying disease. The rate of recurrent thromboembolism is less than 5% on anticoagulant therapy, reaching 30% after 10 years.

Can you have a pulmonary embolism for months without knowing?

Larger clots cause more damage to your lung tissue and put more stress on your heart. Therefore, with larger clots you're more likely to have noticeable symptoms. On the other hand, if the clot is small, you may have no symptoms. It's possible to have a small pulmonary embolism and never know it.

What dissolves blood clots fast?

While many blood clots dissolve with the help of blood thinners, some dangerous clots require fast-acting clot-busting medications called thrombolytics. Because thrombolytics can cause severe bleeding, doctors usually give them only to people with large, severe clots that increase risk of pulmonary embolism.

What is the survival rate of a pulmonary embolism?

However, reported survival after venous thromboembolism varies widely, with "short-term" survival ranging from 95% to 97% for deep vein thrombosis^8,9 and from 77% to 94% for pulmonary embolism,^4,6,8,9 while "long-term" survival ranges from 61% to 75% for both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

What should I watch after pulmonary embolism?

After a clot in your lungs (a pulmonary embolism, or PE), you might feel mild pain or pressure in your chest. But watch out for new or worse pain, pressure, or cramping in your calf. That could signal a new DVT. Shortness of breath or fainting could be signs of another PE.

How long do you take blood thinners after pulmonary embolism?

While a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, most patients survive and need to learn how to live with the risk of recurrence. Your healthcare provider may prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which may be needed for as little as three months but can be required for the remainder of a patient's life.

How should I sleep to prevent blood clots?

- ELEVATE YOUR FEET, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SLEEP

It does not take much; placing a pillow under your legs will help to elevate your feet a few inches. EXTRA PRO TIP: try to keep your legs higher than your hips.

Are you always hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolus requires treatment right away. You may need to stay in the hospital: You will receive medicines to thin the blood and make it less likely your blood will form more clots. In cases of severe, life-threatening pulmonary embolism, treatment may involve dissolving the clot.

Does walking help dissolve blood clots?

Exercise can help improve blood flow in the body, and this can be particularly helpful in preventing blood clots from forming. Regular exercise can also help in breaking down existing blood clots. Low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming are recommended as they are less strenuous on the body.

Can I drive with pulmonary embolism?

A patient suffering PTE cannot drive until the condition has subsided completely and he is stable with medical anticoagulation therapy. Even if the patient is fully recovered, he cannot drive if there is a risk of relapsing emboligenic thrombosis.