pulmoanry embolism

[nicobella]

I am curious about something. I have been getting short of breath lately for no apparant reason. I was always very active (runner for years) and would never get out of breath doing things like running upstairs. Plus I have noticed that taking a DEEP breath feels funny. NOt Pain pursay...but a discomfort. And a cough as well. I was wondering about pulmonary embolisms. Are they hereditary?? Could i have one?? How do i know if i am at risk for one? And what tests can detect one. Is it something you have your whole life and just one day it bursts?? or is it something that just happens out of the blue? ANy advice would be great.
thanks

[National Jewish]

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in an artery of the lungs.  This can develop anytime, but this is not something that you "have your whole life”.  The overwhelming majority of pulmonary emboli (PEs) are not hereditary.  The most common place for the clot to travel from is a vein in the legs.  Most of the time this is due to some type of trauma to the legs, like a broken bone.  However the clot could also come from a vein in the pelvis, the arm, the shoulder, the chest, or even the heart.  Blood clotting problems can also cause blood clots to form in the lungs.

Things that would make you at risk for PEs include a recent surgical procedure with general anesthesia, heart failure, the post childbirth period, prolonged bed rest, cancer, obesity and the use of estrogens including birth control pills.

Some people do not have any symptoms.  Other people will breathe faster, cough, feel chest discomfort, and shortness of breath.  Getting short of breath for no apparent reason is a very valid concern.  Recurrent PEs must be considered as a cause along with other possible causes, such as asthma or a heart problem.  Unexplained shortness of breath in an otherwise healthy individual must not be ignored.  It must be investigated, without delay.  You must seek medical advice.

Both invasive and non-invasive tests are available to detect clots in the leg veins.  Most people with PEs will have a normal chest x-ray.  A radiology test called a ventilation perfusion (VQ) lung scan is most commonly used to identify PEs.  Although a clear chest x-ray and VQ lung scan are no guarantee that you are not having recurrent PEs.  Sometimes pulmonary arteriography is used.  A blood test called D-dimer is also a helpful test to find blood clots.  However more information would be obtained from a CT scan of the chest, specifically a helical or spiral CT.

[tamncam]

I am not a Doctor, but I know a little about pulmonary embolus. They usually orginate in the lower extremitites called deep vein thrombosis(DVT), and many resolve on their own. The risk factors include prolonged bed rest or inactivity, oral contraceptive use, surgery, child birth, cancer, stroke heart attack, heart surgery, and fractures of the hips. Symptoms include a cough that begins suddenly, and may produce bloody sputum(significant amounts of visible blood or lightly blood streaked sputum), sudden onset of shortness of breath at rest or with exertion, splinting of ribs with breathing, lightheadedness, fainting, dizziness, chest pain: under the breastbone or on one side, sharp, stabbing, burning, aching, or dull heavy sensation, may be worse at night, may radiate to the shoulder, arm , neck, jaw, or other area,may be worse by breathing deeply, coughing, eating, bending, or stooping.
also, sweating, anxiety, breathing rapid, or rapid heart beat.
also, wheezing, clammy skin, skin discoloration(bluish) , pulse (weak or gone) nasal flaring, joint pain, pelvis pain, leg pain in one or both legs,low blood pressure ,swelling in the legs, abdominal indigestion, lump associated with a vein near the surface of the body,may be painful.
If you think you have one you should probably have a chest x ray or see a pulmonologist.Sorry for the long note

[nicobella]

I had a chest x-ray a few months ago....like 6 months i think. Is that good enough or could one have developed since then??

thanks for the reply

[tamncam]

how was your blood pressure ? Are you just short of breath? It may just be some anxiety or panic. I take meds  for that and it will cause you to be short of breath, more like a feeling of not getting enough on inspiration..Talk to your dr. and see if that might be the case. If you suspect pulomonary embolism that would be considered emergency and i personaly think you would know. If your breathing is really bad and you are having chest pain then I would really make a trip to dr. or ER.

[tamncam]

oh Yeah, the cough and feeling when breathing in . have you had pneumonia or any lung infections lately...could be plearisy

[nicobella]

well my blood pressure is normal. anywhere between 90/60  AND 115/70. My heart rate is around 60. My kids are ALWAYS sick. they get one cold....get rid of it and then get another. Which casues my sinuses to bother me. They have had coughs recently but I didn't seem to get the cough?? Maybe i did and just didn't know it?? not sure. The shortness of breath i have is just like.....a tired/weak and lightly out of breath feeling that i get if i do things that exhert energy. Sometimes it takes going up and down the stairs and sometimes it can be from cleaning the house. It is just not typical for me ya know?? Then my heart seems to be pounding hard as well at those times. Not faster than normal...just harder. I am having an ECHO, stress and 48 hour holter monitor done by my cardio next week. I am also seeing an ENT next week as well. I have a few other symptoms...such as vertigo, ringing in ears and brain fog. I am tryting to figure out what the heck is going on. I read about the embolism and just recently knew someone that died from it and it concerned me becasue of all my symptoms.
anyway....thank you.
melissa