Outlook

The prognosis of people with PE depends on many factors. First and perhaps most significant is the size and location of the clot. The bigger the clot and the larger the blood vessel that is blocked, the more serious your condition is. The outlook may be poor with big clots or clots blocking larger blood vessels.

• Some people may die immediately when a blood clot breaks loose and goes to the lung. Still others die in a short time period because of inability to get oxygen into the blood or from blood pressure collapse.

• Those who do survive the initial episode and who are able to receive appropriate treatment generally do well.

• People with PEs are usually hospitalized for several days until their blood can be adequately thinned. Then they are maintained on blood thinning medication for 6 months or longer.

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Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot In The Lung) - Describe Your Symptoms

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