133: What Happens When a Blood Clot Travels to Your Lungs: Pulmonary Embolism

We trace how a deep vein blood clot forms, breaks free, and lodges in the lungs as a pulmonary embolism, and we explain why symptoms can range from sharp chest pain to sudden collapse. We also lay out what makes us worry, how clinicians test and treat PE, and when you should stop guessing at home and get urgent help. 
• how DVT risk factors stack over time 
• why clots from the leg travel to the lungs 
• ventilation perfusion mismatch and abrupt shortness of breath 
• how right heart strain can drop blood pressure and cause fainting 
• common symptom patterns including chest pain with breathing and coughing blood 
• why a normal pulse ox does not rule out PE 
• how emergency teams size up risk before imaging 
• CT pulmonary angiogram, VQ scan, ultrasound, echocardiogram basics 
• what anticoagulants do and what “blood thinner” gets wrong 
• when to call 911 and why you should not drive yourself 
• recovery, follow-up, and prevention after surgery or long travel 
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Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN

Artwork Rebrand and Avatars:

Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones) 

Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr

Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski