PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Who is at Risk?
Patients with certain types of conditions are at increased risk of developing PE:
Pregnancy
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease including heart attack, coronary artery disease, stroke or congestive heart failure
Having a previous history of a blood clot
Oral contraceptive use or hormone replacement therapy
Disorders associated with inflammation including infection, bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) and certain types of arthritis
Chronic lung, kidney or liver problems
Smoking
Obesity
Conditions that predispose to easy clotting including the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome or genetic factors.
Patients who have had other family members with blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism):
Blood clotting disorders can be inherited
Patients who don’t or can’t move around much
Lack of movement can cause slow blood flow, which puts patients at higher risk for developing blood clots.
Being confined to a bed, such as when you are in the hospital for a number of days
Prolonged sitting, such as a long airplane flight or car trip (4 hours or more)
Recent trauma or having your leg in a cast
Patients who have had major surgery or injury to a vein
For example, general surgery, brain and spine surgery, or hip/knee replacement