A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the arteries of the lungs and can be life-threatening if not recognized quickly.
Symptoms may include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that is worse with breathing, coughing, fast heartbeat, dizziness, or coughing up blood.
Imaging helps when a blood clot in the lungs is suspected, especially if symptoms are sudden or there is a history of leg swelling, recent surgery, cancer, or long immobility.
CT pulmonary angiography is commonly used to look for the clot and assess its extent.
Treatment often includes blood thinners and, in selected severe cases, clot-directed procedures or more urgent intervention.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
