How Long Before A Pulmonary Embolism Kills You? Know Here!

Medical News Today released a study stating that COVID-19 increases the chances of developing pulmonary embolism condition in an affected individual. Also, according to the CDC, 25% of PE cases have only a single result – Death! Further studies estimate – almost 30,000 – 50,000 individuals in the US annually die of pulmonary embolism. In that case, you are bound to ask the question – how long before a pulmonary embolism kills you? The doctors use a severity scale to measure this timeline. If a patient scores 65/less on that scale, he has a 1-6% chance of dying within the next 30 days. However, if the patient scores 125/more, he has a 10.00 – 24.5% chance of dying within the next 30 days.  

But that is not all! If a patient receives prompt treatment, he can recover from it to live a healthy life. Want to know more about the symptoms, causes, stats, and way-outs? Stay tuned – 

Where does pulmonary embolism originate? 

Before you figure out how long before a pulmonary embolism kills you, it is essential to understand the origin of this medical issue. Simply put, pulmonary embolism originates from a person’s leg. A distant blood clot formed in the leg/arm, medically referred to as – deep vein thrombosis, breaks off into smaller pieces. These pieces travel through the blood to the lungs while the original clot keeps increasing in size. 

Now, what happens is the smaller clots pass on through the lungs while the bigger ones get lodged in the blood vessels of the lung. This process is called pulmonary embolism. This clot not only resists normal blood flow but also puts immense pressure on the heart. 

How fatal the embolism will be depends on the size of the clot formed and how quickly this clot grows within a limited time. 

How long before a pulmonary embolism kills you?

Let us now figure out precisely the time gap within which your PE condition can become fatal – 

If treated at a preliminary level, then a PE patient can make a recovery. But, in more than a singular case, the chances of it are minimal. In regards to that, let us give you an outline – 

• If it is acutely tiny, then the chance is – less than 1%
• If it is either acute massive/submassive – the range is within 5-25%, irrespective of the treatment offered 

For the unversed, this condition is considered to be the worst of it all. In 1/3rd of the cases, the condition will turn fatal in the first couple of hours. 

What are the risk factors of PE? 

The risk factors that you must know about are – a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, medical pre-conditions like cancer/heart issues, inherited genetic conditions, and pregnancy. As an aware individual, you must take care of these factors to eliminate the chances of your death by pulmonary embolism. 

What are the most significant symptoms of PE? 

As someone who wishes to gain further knowledge about this medical issue, to know and understand how long before a pulmonary embolism kills you is not enough. After all, prevention is better than cure, and in that case – you must know the signs before going ahead – 

1. Sudden shortness of breath (irrespective of the state in which the body is in – rest/active)
2. Unexplained and unwarranted sharp pain in jaw, arm, neck, chest, shoulder, and back areas that can get worse with your breathing
3. Cough containing bloody mucus
4. Excessive sweating powered along with rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
5. Bluish or clammy skin 

However, all of these signs depend on the severity of the clot and will vary accordingly. But, if you face any of these, immediately consult a doctor. 

When should you seek care for PE? 

To gain optimal health and enhance your life span, you must ensure well in advance that a clot does not turn into a pulmonary embolism case. For that to happen, anytime you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult a medical professional immediately. 

How is a PE condition treated? 

You have got a fair idea about how long before a pulmonary embolism kills you. Now let us give you an idea about the basic ways by which medical professionals treat pulmonary embolism symptoms – 

Putting the patient on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) 

Anticoagulants, as you are aware, decrease the blood’s capacity to curdle. However, these blood thinners are administered and monitored over a while to understand the situation.

Surgical procedure 

For those individuals who are in critical condition, medical practitioners often opt for interventional procedures (such as vena cava filter) to trap the clots at preliminary stages for the future. 

Using compression stockings 

Doctors also utilize support hose (alternatively called compression stockings) to enhance the blood flow towards your legs. This, on the whole, helps unclot the blood lumps. 

Thrombolytic therapy is another way out 

For those of you who face unstable situations like – low blood pressure due to pulmonary embolism, this thrombolytic therapy (clot buster medication) is a way to treat them. 

What complications can occur after treatment? 

Formation and unplugging of a blood clot in the lung, if at a preliminary stage, can be treated by the above procedures. However, certain complications may arise post-treatment – 

• Despite the treatment, you could face chronic lung damage 
• You may face post-thrombotic syndrome like – pain, swelling, skin discoloration 
• Psychological effects – depression and bouts of anxiety 

How to prevent a PE issue? 

It is good to have in-depth knowledge about how long before a pulmonary embolism kills you and medical consultations, but it is always better to change one’s lifestyle to prevent it. 

Watch what you eat 

This is one of the first points to remember. In today’s fast-paced world, we are more prone to having junk food rather than nutritious alternatives. Also, in terms of fluid intake, alcohol and caffeine intake are higher than regular water/fruit juices. Having said that, ensure you consume a balanced diet with ample amounts of fresh fluids (juices, water, infused water). Lower your alcohol and caffeine intake, and cut down on tobacco.  

Exercise regularly 

If you are a newbie, kickstart your routine with a walk (15-30 minutes), and then work it up with runs, jogs, free-hand exercises, and cardio. These will help pump blood into the muscles and reduce the chances of clot formation in the future. 

Get regular blood tests 

Regular bloodwork, ECG, CT scan, VQ scan, oxygen level checks, X-rays, and leg ultrasound are some of the preliminary tests that give a hint of a blood clump formation. 

Understand your body 

The last thing to note is – to listen to your body. In most cases, before such clots occur, the body gives multiple signs. Whether it is panting after walking for a short distance or gaining/losing weight within a short span. If any such situation occurs, be careful and consult your doctor. That could save you from the fatality of PE. 

Parting thoughts 

As you have already understood – a pulmonary embolism is a blood lump that gets stuck in the artery of the lungs, thereby blocking the blood flow. Data from most sources consider it fatal. If you wish to know how long before a pulmonary embolism kills you, then let us tell you – in most cases, it is within 30 days. However, the fatality rate differs from case to case. Also, in certain situations, when given prompt treatment, the person can completely recover. Added to that, there are multiple symptoms to predict it, as well as preventive measures to contain its occurrence. As an aware individual, you must take care of your health for the same. 

If you liked this post and want to know more about such medical topics, then keep a watch on HeAndSheFitness! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Does PE happen suddenly or over time? 

It has been found mostly that clots develop over time in the deep veins of arms/legs, and with time, they enter the lung’s vessels. So, one can safely state that it develops over time. However, there have been cases wherein the PE has developed within minutes, causing death. 

2. What to expect if I have a pulmonary embolism? 

The signs of pulmonary embolism can almost feel like a heart attack. The most commonly observed symptoms are – upper back/chest pain, heart racing, and consistent cough with red/pink blood. 

3. Are all cases of pulmonary embolism fatal? 

Research states that if detected early, close to 98% of PE cases can be treated successfully. However, when caught at a later stage, it can turn fatal. Certain statistics state that – 25% of the cases turn fatal. 

4. Can PE go away completely?

If treated correctly, pulmonary embolism can go away over time. But, for those of you suffering from – chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, it could come back.