Causes of Pulmonary Embolism

By james

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

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Our hearts are always pumping; ensuring that oxygen is carried throughout the body. Oxygen is so essential to us that we will die very quickly without it. This means that the flow of blood should not be impeded, and this means keeping our blood vessels clear of obstructions.

Some people, however, can experience blockages in the flow of blood. This can be very dangerous and they can also sometimes come on very suddenly. One such example is a pulmonary embolism, and it is something that should be treated as an immediate medical emergency. There are various causes, and it can be avoided in many cases.

1. Pulmonary Embolism

The pulmonary arteries allow our blood to travel to the lungs from the heart. Here, the blood can absorb oxygen before then returning to the heart from where it is pumped to the rest of the body. It is essential that the pulmonary arteries are kept clear to allow the flow of the blood to the lungs.

A pulmonary embolism is a condition where one of the patient’s pulmonary arteries is blocked. This will usually, but not always, be caused by a clot that has become dislodged from elsewhere in the body and travelled to the pulmonary artery. It is a very dangerous condition and the patient will need emergency medical assistance.