Everything You Should Know About Pulmonary Embolism

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include a sudden or sharp chest pain, especially when a person coughs or inhales. Chest pain can be confused with a heart attack; however, each condition requires immediate attention. Symptoms that may occur over time include rapid breathing or difficulty catchingthebreath; a dry cough; dizziness; and an increased, irregular, or rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms include shortness of breath even without physical exertion, such as during exercise or when climbing stairs, and a cough that results in a pink, foamy mucus. It is important to seek treatment at the first signs of breathing trouble or chest pain to determine whether the condition is life-threatening. Very severe cases may result in loss of consciousness, shock, cardiac arrest, and death.