Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

Pulmonary embolism symptoms vary depending on how the clot affects circulation through the lungs and the person's existing heart and lung function.

Common symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:

• Sudden or unexplained shortness of breath

• Sharp chest pain, particularly when breathing deeply or coughing

• Rapid breathing

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

• Cough, sometimes with blood-streaked mucus

• Light-headedness or dizziness

• Fainting or feeling close to fainting

• Unexplained weakness or feeling severely unwell

Some people with pulmonary embolism (PE) may also have symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), such as pain, swelling, warmth, or tenderness in one leg. DVT is a common source of pulmonary emboli but does not cause lung symptoms itself.

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

The table below lists pulmonary embolism symptoms that need attention and what they may indicate:

Why Do Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms Occur?

Pulmonary embolism symptoms occur when a blood clot blocks one or more arteries in the lungs, reducing normal blood flow. Most pulmonary emboli develop when part of a clot from a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvis, travels through the bloodstream to the lungs.

The blockage can interfere with normal oxygen exchange and increase pressure within the blood vessels of the lungs. This can cause sudden shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and a fast heartbeat. If blood flow near the outer part of the lung is affected, irritation of the surrounding tissues can also cause sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing.

A larger or more significant blockage can strain the right side of the heart and reduce blood pressure, leading to dizziness, fainting, or, in severe cases, collapse. Reduced blood supply can occasionally damage a small area of lung tissue, which may cause coughing up blood.

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Pulmonary embolism can become life-threatening when it significantly interferes with breathing or blood circulation. Seek immediate medical attention if there is:

• Sudden or severe difficulty breathing

• Sudden or severe chest pain

• Fainting or loss of consciousness

• Severe dizziness accompanied by breathlessness or weakness

• Coughing up blood with breathing difficulty or chest pain

• A very rapid heartbeat accompanied by severe symptoms

• Blue or grey lips or skin

• Sudden collapse

• Severe weakness with very low blood pressure

• Sudden breathlessness together with a painful or swollen leg

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism Based on Type

Pulmonary embolism can vary in how it develops and how severely it affects blood flow. Doctors may describe PE as acute, subacute or chronic based on its clinical course. Acute PE may also be classified by its effect on blood pressure and heart function. These categories cannot be reliably identified from symptoms alone.

The table below outlines some common clinical presentations of PE and the symptoms or signs that may occur with them:

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism-Specific Conditions

Certain conditions associated with pulmonary embolism can produce recognisable symptom patterns in addition to the usual breathlessness and chest symptoms.

The table below describes important PE-related conditions and their characteristic symptoms:

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism in Children

Pulmonary embolism is less common in children than in adults. Its symptoms can be difficult to recognise because they overlap with more common respiratory and cardiac conditions.

Possible pulmonary embolism symptoms in children include:

• Sudden or unexplained shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Rapid breathing

• Rapid heartbeat

• Cough

• Low oxygen levels

• Coughing up blood

• Dizziness or fainting

• Unexplained fever in some cases

• Leg swelling or pain when DVT is also present

Children do not always develop the classic combination of breathlessness, chest pain and coughing up blood. Severe PE can also cause low blood pressure, marked breathing difficulty, collapse, or rarely, cardiac arrest.

Persistent unexplained chest or breathing symptoms in a child with risk factors for blood clots require medical assessment.

Can You Have Pulmonary Embolism Without Symptoms?

Yes. Some pulmonary embolism cause few or no noticeable symptoms and are discovered incidentally during imaging performed for another medical reason.

Other people may experience only mild or non-specific breathlessness, chest discomfort, or reduced exercise tolerance. Existing heart or lung disease can also make a new pulmonary embolism difficult to recognise because the person may notice only a worsening of their usual symptoms.

The absence of dramatic symptoms, therefore, does not reliably determine whether a pulmonary embolism is present or how clinically important it is.

When Can Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Pulmonary embolism becomes life-threatening when obstruction of the pulmonary circulation severely reduces blood flow through the lungs, places excessive strain on the right side of the heart, and prevents the body from maintaining adequate circulation.

The table below lists severe pulmonary embolism symptoms and explains why they can be life-threatening:

How are Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms Diagnosed?

Symptoms alone cannot confirm pulmonary embolism because shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat can occur with many other conditions. The tests used depend on the person's symptoms, clinical probability of PE, and overall stability.

The table below explains the tests and assessments that may be used for suspected pulmonary embolism and their purpose: