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General health information

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot lodged in a lung blood vessel. It can cause sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing or a fast heartbeat. Signs of a leg thrombosis, such as pain or swelling in one leg, may also be present. A severe pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. If suspected while you are stable, call your GP the same day or HAP 9252 outside office hours. For severe breathlessness, chest pain with collapse or fainting, call Ambulance 912 immediately.

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  • A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot lodged in the lung circulation.
  • Symptoms may start suddenly and range from shortness of breath to a life-threatening condition.
  • The clot often comes from a deep vein in the leg.
  • Pregnancy, the postnatal period, surgery, bed rest, cancer, hormones and long journeys increase risk.
  • A suspected embolism while stable needs same-day medical assessment; a severe suspected embolism with instability is an emergency.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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D
Deep vein thrombosis in the legDeep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in a deep vein of the leg. One leg may become swollen, painful, warm or discoloured. Part of the clot can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
C
Calf painCalf pain is often caused by muscle cramp or injury, but a painful, swollen, warm calf may indicate deep vein thrombosis. New breathlessness, chest pain or fainting may indicate a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate help.
T
ThrombosisThrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. A clot in a vein can cause, for example, deep vein thrombosis in the leg or a pulmonary embolism; a clot in an artery can cause a heart attack, stroke or acute blockage in an arm or leg. Symptoms and urgency depend on the location.