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What Causes Blood Clot In Lungs?

Posted on Sat, 20 Dec 2014

Question: Hi there! I went to the hospital last night, and the Dr said I may have a blood clot in my lungs or somewhere that is causing chest pain and that I need to be checked by a cardiologist. I am going to see one in a week because that's the soonest i can get in. I am having shortness of breath, and pain when breathing in. What can i do in the mean time to thin my blood so that the blood clot doesn't get worse ? Should i take baby aspirin or nattokinase?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
want to ask few questions first.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I want to ask you few questions first.
1. Have you undergone CT PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY?
2. Have you undergone VQ (Ventilation Perfusion ) scan?
3. Other causes of shortness of breath and chest pain has been rules out or not.
Clots in lung is known as pulmonary embolism (PE). And it is a life threatening emergency.
So one should not wait for 1 week to start treatment.
So in my opinion, your emergency doctor had just suspected PE, not confirmed it.
If you have confirmed PE and had done all the above tests than you should not wait for 7 days to consult cardiologist. You need urgent fibrinolytic therapy.
So let me know first whether you are suspected or confirmed case of PE. Because next line of management differs in both the conditions.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (28 minutes later)

they have strongly suspected I am going for CT tomorrow. I am not sure why they did do the CT at the hospital. they have ruled out upper respitory, fluid in lungs, through XRay

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
get done CT PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
So, you are suspected case of PE, not confirmed. Better to get done CT PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY, not plain CT THORAX. As to diagnose PE, CT PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY is the best imaging modality.
And don't start aspirin or other drugs.
Wait for CT report.
You can take paracetamol for pain but not aspirin.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, please close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thanks. .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

is cat scan of chest good enough

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No, it will not help in rule out or diagnose PE.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.

CT pulmonary angiography is needed to rule out or diagnose PE.

Plain CT scan will not tell you anything about pulmonary artery and thus pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary embolism is the disease of pulmonary vessels. So visualization of vessels is necessary. This is not possible with simple CT scan. You have to have PULMONARY angiography done, to see pulmonary vessels and so to rule out PE.

So if you want to rule out PE, simple CT THORAX will not helpful.

Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, please close the conversation and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 minutes later)

the dr said he is doing a CT scan to check for blockage..am I wasting my time?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
discuss again about CT pulmonary angiography.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
In my opinion you should discuss about CT PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY with your doctor before going for test.
If possible can you tell me what has been written exactly on the request form for CT scan.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (19 minutes later)

yes :)I'll let you know. can they do a pulmonary angiography in a hospital ?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is done by the same CT scan machine.

Detailed Answer:

Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
CT PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY done with the same CT SCAN machine. It uses different mode for angiography. Intravenous contrast is used.

And let me know your report. I will be obliged.

Hope I have solved your query. You can ask me directly by clicking this link
bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 minutes later)

they did the one that you mentioned. :) with the XXXXXXX and what not. it asked me to hold my breath for 30 seconds but I was only able to hold it for 12. I hope that was okay. I got really nervous. thanks for being so detailed and responsive. I will let you know of the results.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, Thanks for the appreciation.

No need to worry much. Its ok if you could hold breath for 12 seconds. Just let me know the report. I will guide you further. And your reply gives me extra boost. And I am truly obliged by your reply.

Always happy to help you.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (57 minutes later)

hi sir! the results were fine! the dr said it was pleurisy ? what else could I be having these symptoms from? I forgot to mention the pain in my right collar bone. would you please also share with me the symptoms of blood clots in legs ? thank you so much :) I have enjoyed your information, and kindness.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
pleurisy may be the cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Its a great news that you are not having PE.
Other causes of breathlessness and pain on breathing are
1. Pleurisy
2. Bronchitis
3. Musculoskeletal pain etc.
So get done PFT ( PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST ) to rule out bronchitis.
Bronchitis is inflammation of bronchi. Due to this bronchi gets edamatous and so inspiration causes pain and patient have difficulty in respiration.
If this is also normal than start treatment for pleurisy.
Symptoms of blood clots in leg are
1. Severe leg pain, especially after activity like walking, standing.
2. Severe calf tenderness.
3. Skin changes like blackening of leg skin with ulcers etc.
Do you have any of these?
And thanks for kind words. Even I am blessed by such overwhelming response from my patients.
I will be happy to help you further. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E