Pulmonary Embolism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Pulmonary Embolism?
A pulmonologist, a doctor who treats lung disease, and a hematologist, a doctor who treats blood clotting problems, often help care for people with a pulmonary embolism. It needs treatment right away, and you may need to stay in the hospital. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.
Most often, the clot starts in a deep vein of the leg. This is called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. The clot breaks loose and travels through the blood to the lungs. If it is not treated, it can cause a heart attack, shock, stroke, or death. Shock means not enough blood is flowing through the body.
Symptoms
You may not have any symptoms. Sometimes symptoms come on quickly, within seconds to minutes. Other times they come on slowly, over days to weeks. Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain with deep breathing.
- Rapid breathing.
- A higher heart rate.
Chest pain is a main symptom. It can be under the breastbone or on one side of the chest. It may feel sharp or stabbing, and it often gets worse with deep breathing. Other symptoms may include:
- Coughing, with or without blood.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Feeling anxious.
- Sweating.
- Leg pain, redness, or swelling.
- A low-grade fever.
- Bluish skin, which is less common.
Causes and who gets it
A pulmonary embolism is most often caused by a blood clot that forms in a vein outside the lungs. The most common one is in a deep vein of the thigh or the pelvis, which is the hip area. Less common causes are air bubbles, fat droplets, amniotic fluid, or clumps of parasites or tumor cells.
You are more likely to have one if you or your family has a history of blood clots or certain clotting disorders. A pulmonary embolism may also happen:
- After childbirth.
- During a hospital stay when you are on bed rest or cannot move.
- After severe injuries, burns, or fractures of the hips or thigh bone.
- After surgery, most commonly bone, joint, abdominal, and brain surgery.
- If you have cancer or obesity.
- If you take birth control pills or estrogen therapy.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will use your symptoms, medical history, a physical exam, and imaging or blood tests. Tests may include:
- A CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scan, which takes pictures of your blood vessels to look for clots in the lungs. It is the main test.
- A D-dimer blood test, which measures a substance that is released when part of a clot dissolves.
- A ventilation perfusion (V/Q) scan, which measures air flow and blood flow in the lungs.
- Pulmonary angiography, which uses a tube in a blood vessel and X-rays to show blood flow to the lung. It is used to confirm a clot if other tests are not clear.
Treatment
A pulmonary embolism requires treatment right away. You may need to stay in the hospital. You will get blood thinners, which are medicines that make new clots less likely to form. Most people can treat blood clots with medicines at home, but a serious clot may mean a hospital stay.
In severe, life-threatening cases, treatment may involve dissolving or removing the clot. If you cannot take blood thinners, your provider may suggest placing an IVC filter. This device sits in the main vein in your belly and keeps large clots from traveling to the lungs. How long you take blood thinners depends mostly on the cause of your clot.
When to see a doctor
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. These include chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. A pulmonary embolism can be life threatening without treatment.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can talk with you about your risk of blood clots and give regular checkups. They can also help you take your medicines as prescribed and coordinate care with a lung or blood specialist after a hospital stay.
Common questions
Is a pulmonary embolism an emergency?
Yes. It needs treatment right away. If it is left untreated, it can cause a heart attack, shock, stroke, or death. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have symptoms.
Can a long trip cause a pulmonary embolism?
A long plane or car ride can raise the risk, but it is a relatively weak risk factor. Moving your legs often during long trips can help prevent DVT, the leg clots that often lead to a pulmonary embolism.
How long will I need blood thinners?
It depends mostly on the cause of your blood clot. Your provider will talk with you about this. They will also talk with you about the risk of bleeding problems with these medicines.
Can a pulmonary embolism cause long-term problems?
Yes, for some people. Some people develop long-term heart and lung problems. A pulmonary embolism can also cause pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the vessels leading to the lungs. This can lead to heart failure.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
