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New Cough & Cold Line

Due to the increase in respiratory illness in our community -- flu, RSV and COVID-19 -- ChristianaCare has set up a new COUGH & COLD LINE to help you out! If you are 18 and older and don’t feel well, CALL 302-623-7400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Through a series of prompts, the ChristianaCare COUGH & COLD LINE will provide helpful info on how best to manage your cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms at home. We’ll also guide you on when you should seek care.

Through the ChristianaCare COUGH & COLD LINE, we can help connect you with a ChristianaCare virtual primary care provider.

If your need is more urgent, there are 16 ChristianaCare Go-Health Urgent Care Centers in DE and MD. Save your spot in line or set up a virtual visit.

Vascular Health

Pulmonary Embolism

When a clot travels to a lung artery

About Causes Symptoms FAQ Consultations

About Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Clotting is a normal process that the body uses to prevent bleeding. But occasionally, certain factors can cause clots to form, break off, and travel to another area of the body. This is called an embolus. When one of these clots lodges itself in a blood vessel, it’s called an embolism. This is a serious issue, as it can block the blood supply to a particular organ.

A pulmonary embolism is specifically when a clot travels to a lung artery, blocking blood flow to these critical organs. Pulmonary embolisms often originate in blood vessels in the leg but can come from anywhere.

What Causes Pulmonary Embolism?

Pulmonary embolism is caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvis. Once this clot dislodges and travels to the lung artery, the resulting blockage is when PE occurs. Symptoms of DVT can include pain, swelling, redness, or weakness of the affected leg.

In rare cases, multiple small PE’s can develop over time. This is known as thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. PE can also be caused by dislodged fat or air bubbles, but it is uncommon.

Now that you understand how PE occurs, it’s important to understand why. Your risk of blood clots can be increased by a variety of factors:

Heart disease.
Cancer, especially brain, ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, stomach, lung, and kidney.
Chemotherapy related to cancer treatment.
Surgery.
Disorders that affect clotting.
Severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Extended periods of inactivity like long trips and bed rest.
Smoking.
Being overweight.
Supplemental estrogen.
Pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism?

Every person will experience PE differently, and may have any or all of these symptoms:

Sudden shortness of breath.
Chest pain (usually worse with breathing).
A feeling of anxiety.
A feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
Irregular heartbeat.
Palpitations (heart racing).
Coughing and/or coughing up blood.
Sweating.
Low blood pressure.

You may also have symptoms of DVT which include:

Pain in the affected leg.
Swelling in the leg.
Soreness, tenderness, redness, and/or warmth in the leg(s).
Redness and/or discolored skin.

Many PE symptoms resemble other conditions. It’s important to talk with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s absolutely possible to have a pulmonary embolism without knowing, especially since many symptoms resemble those of other conditions.

Type and severity of symptoms can vary widely from patient to patient. Some have mild symptoms that appear over days or weeks. Others develop acute symptoms just moments after a PE occurs.

Anyone can develop blood clots that result in PE, but family history of blood clots or PE put you at higher risk. Other medical conditions and behavioral factors can also put you at risk.

When left untreated, PE can be serious or even life-threatening due to a variety of complications it is known to cause. These include:

Cardiac arrest: When the heart stops beating suddenly.
Cardiac arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat.
Pleural effusion: Fluid buildup around the lungs.
Pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure in the lungs.
Pulmonary infarction: Lung tissue death.

PE shares symptoms with many other conditions and diseases. Because of this, we use a combination of different tests to diagnose PE and give the best course of treatment. Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, the tests can include:

Chest X-ray. An imaging test used to assess the size, shape, contour and anatomic location of the heart, lungs, and their various parts.
Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan). A small amount of a radioactive substance is used to help examine the lungs. It evaluates both the blood and air flow within the lungs.
Pulmonary angiogram. An X-ray of the blood vessels used to detect conditions such as aneurysm (bulging) and stenosis (narrowing).
Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan). This test creates detailed images of the body using X-rays in combination with computers.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Combines a magnetic field, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of the body.
Duplex ultrasound (US). Uses high-frequency sound waves to assess blood flow and the structure of blood vessels in the legs.
Lab tests. Blood work can check the blood’s clotting status and oxygen level, as well as test for genetic disorders that can increase clot risk.
Electrocardiogram (EKG). Uses electrodes placed on the chest, arms and legs to measure and interpret the heart’s electrical activity.

When a pulmonary embolism occurs, time is of the essence. The sooner it’s treated, the better the outcome. ChristianaCare offers a full range of innovative treatments. Depending on the conditions and symptoms of your PE, your treatment plan may include:

Medications: Two main types are used. Thrombolytics, which dissolve blood clots, and anticoagulants, which are blood thinners.
Clot removal: An intravenous catheter guides special tools to the site of the clot, where it is then broken up or removed entirely.
Interior vena cava (IVC) filter placement: Using a catheter, a filter is positioned in the main vein that barriers blood from the legs to the heart. This filter can catch any clots on their way to your heart or lungs.
Balloon pulmonary angioplasty: A catheter is used to guide a balloon to the pulmonary arteries where it is inflated, opening the passage and restoring blood flow.

Once PE is successfully treated, most patients maintain a good quality of life. Depending on the cause, they may remain on anticoagulant medication medications to prevent clots from coming back. This may result in minor dietary changes, mostly cutting out certain foods that could interfere with medications.

You’ll have regular follow-up appointments with your provider so they can monitor your body’s response to treatment.

They’ll also suggest a series of behavioral changes to prevent a PE from happening again. These include exercise, dietary changes, avoiding tobacco, etc.

Risk factors always play a major role, but lifestyle does too. You can help prevent a PE by:

Exercising regularly, even small indoor movements encourage blood flow.
Drinking lots of fluids.
Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake.
Avoiding tobacco.
Avoiding crossing your legs.
Avoiding tight-fitting clothing.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Elevating your feet regularly.

Your provider can help you build a behavioral plan to reduce your risk factors. In higher risk patients, they may also suggest a vena cava filter as a prevention measure.

If you’re at risk, it’s important to know the warning signs and know when to ask for help. If you’re experiencing pulmonary embolism symptoms, seek immediate treatment.

Schedule a Consultation

Speak with your primary care provider about your symptoms, and they may refer you. Or reach out to us directly and we’ll put you in touch with one of our vascular surgeons.

ChristianaCare Vascular Specialists

Center for Heart & Vascular Health
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Suite 1E20
Newark, DE 19713

Get directions and find out more

Call 302-733-5700, prompt 2