Warning Signs Of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Sudden Shortness Of Breath

Sudden shortness of breath may be a sign a blood clot has broken off and traveled to the lungs, which can result in a fatal pulmonary embolism. Shortness of breath, medically referred to as dyspnea, can cause patients to feel as though they cannot take in enough air. Patients with this condition may also feel as though they are suffocating. Shortness of breath is commonly accompanied by chest pain and can sometimes cause coughing, wheezing, fainting, and anxiety. In particular, patients with shortness of breath may have sharp pain when they try to take a breath. This is known as pleurisy.

Doctors listen to the heart and lungs using a stethoscope and measure respiration rates to evaluate shortness of breath. Patients will likely be placed on an electrocardiogram monitor that records heart and breathing activity. Imaging tests, such as CT scans, may sometimes be needed.