Signs and symptoms
... The symptoms of pulmonary embolism can vary greatly, depending on how much of your lung is involved, the size of the clot and your overall health — especially the presence or absence of underlyi...

Causes
... You have two lungs, one on each side of your heart. Blood is constantly being pumped from the right side of your heart to the lungs and back to the left side of your heart. In your lungs, blood picks ...

Risk factors
... Although anyone can develop blood clots and subsequent pulmonary embolism — together known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) — the following factors increase your risk: Inactivity. You''re n...

When to seek medical advice
... Although it''s possible to have DVT without any signs or symptoms, a clot often causes redness, swelling or tenderness over a vein in one of your legs. Because other conditions can cause similar probl...

Screening and diagnosis
... Pulmonary embolism can be difficult to diagnose, especially in people who have underlying heart or lung disease. For that reason, your doctor will perform one or more tests to help find the cause of y...