Pulmonary Embolism - When To Call a Doctor
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you think you have symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Symptoms include:
- Sudden shortness of breath.
- Sharp chest pain that sometimes becomes worse with deep breathing or coughing.
- Rapid pulse or palpitations.
- Sweating.
- Anxiety.
- A cough that may produce bloody mucus or blood.
- Fainting.
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a blood clot in the leg. These symptoms may include:
Breathing Problems: Causes, Tests, and Treatments
There is an old proverb that states, "Life is in the breath. He who half breathes half lives." If you have allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems, this proverb may sound very familiar. But a greater understanding of your breathing problems, along with an accurate medical diagnosis and effective treatment, can help you regain control. It doesn't matter what type of breathing problem you have. Daily control is vital to living an active, productive life.
Read the Breathing Problems: Causes, Tests, and Treatments article > >
- Swelling in a leg that may make it noticeably larger than the other leg. Swelling may also appear as a swollen ridge along a blood vessel that you can feel.
- Skin that is red and warm to the touch.
- Pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh. Some people only notice pain when standing or walking.
Blood clots in the deep veins of the leg are the most common cause of pulmonary embolism. For more information on these types of blood clots, see the topic Deep Vein Thrombosis.
Watchful Waiting
If you think you may have pulmonary embolism, call your doctor or go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. Watchful waiting is not appropriate for pulmonary embolism.
Who To See
Health professionals who can diagnose pulmonary embolism include:
- An emergency room doctor.
- An internal medicine doctor (internist).
- A family medicine doctor.
- A nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
- A pulmonologist.
- A cardiologist.
- A surgeon. This is most often a general surgeon, an orthopedic (bone) surgeon, or a vascular (vein) surgeon.
- An obstetrician (if pulmonary embolism is pregnancy-related).
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Pulmonary Embolism Topics
Today in Lung Health
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.