There is a somewhat higher risk among overweight people and during pregnancy. If a clot lodges in the lungs, there may be sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, and a low fever. The patient sometimes tightens chest muscles to avoid pain and may have swollen legs. A person with a large clot may pass out, appear bluish in color, and have bulging neck veins. Most clots resolve with 10 to 14 days.
Treatment consists of oxygen therapy and blood thinners that prevent further blood clots.
Patients with large clots may need agents that break up the clot. Extreme cases may require emergency surgery. Persons recovering from pulmonary embolism, or people at high risk of one, often take blood thinning pills for several months. They should consult their healthcare provider before taking other drugs. Keeping as active as possible is the best prevention.