What are the Different Causes of a Pulmonary Embolism?

A pulmonary embolism occurs in the lungs when one or more arteries become blocked. It is a potentially life-threatening condition that can be caused by a number of factors. The primary causes of a pulmonary embolism are from traveling blood clots, portions of a tumor, bubbles of air or marrow fat from a broken bone. Any of these conditions have equal ability to create a pulmonary embolism. In most cases, more than a single clot forms at a time.

The most common of the varying causes of a pulmonary embolism involves blood clots. When the flow of blood is slowed either through resting or prolonged periods of immobility in a single position — for example, when seated for a substantial period of time on long flights — the blood can clot within the arteries. This clot can form either directly in the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism, or it can form elsewhere, dislodge and travel to the lungs before becoming trapped. This latter condition is known as deep vein thrombosis.

One of the lesser-known of the causes of a pulmonary embolism is triggered by a portion of a tumor. As with blood clots and deep vein thrombosis, this occurs when a portion of a larger tumor somewhere in the body breaks off and travels through the bloodstream until it becomes stuck in the lungs. After it becomes lodged, blocking the flow of blood to the lungs, a pulmonary embolism is the natural result.

Another of the lesser-known of the causes of a pulmonary embolism is triggered by air bubbles. When air enters the arteries, possibly through a poorly administered hypodermic injection, the air acts to block the natural flow of blood. When the air bubble makes its way into the lungs, a pulmonary embolism occurs.

The last of the lesser-known catalysts of the causes of a pulmonary embolism can occur following a broken bone. When a bone in the body is broken, the fat contained in the marrow can leak into the bloodstream. When this occurs, and when the fat travels into the lungs and becomes stuck, an embolism results.

All of the different causes of a pulmonary embolism result in the same symptoms. These include a weak pulse rate, fainting, feelings of lightheadedness, irregular beating of the heart and blue-tinted or clammy skin. They also include pain in the chest, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and coughing or wheezing with bloody discharge. A person who experiences any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.