Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism happens when an artery in the lung is suddenly blocked. It's usually caused by a blood clot in a leg vein that breaks loose, travels to a lung (pulmonary) artery, and blocks blood flow. This is very serious and can be deadly.

Credits

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: January 10, 2013
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology

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