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How Serious Is Pulmonary Embolism?
Question: how serious are pulmonary embolisms? I found out a week ago, quite by accident during a CT scan, that I had them. I am now on Coumadin, and today my levels reached 2.7. How long will I have to stay on Coumadin, I feel much better than I had been feeling, but the Coumadin seems to make me tired, less energetic.
Brief Answer:
Pulmonary embolism is very serious and life threatening condition.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is very serious and life threatening condition. And treatment is must for PE is must. I wouldn't stop anticoagulation only because you are tired. Usually patient needs to take blood thinner medicines for 6-8 months.
Repeat Pulmonary Angiography should be done after 6-8 months to see improvement and resolution of embolism.
You need to take this drug. If necessary you can change to warfarin after consultation with your doctor because warfarin side effects is slightly better than coumadin.
Hope I have addressed your query.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Pulmonary embolism is very serious and life threatening condition.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is very serious and life threatening condition. And treatment is must for PE is must. I wouldn't stop anticoagulation only because you are tired. Usually patient needs to take blood thinner medicines for 6-8 months.
Repeat Pulmonary Angiography should be done after 6-8 months to see improvement and resolution of embolism.
You need to take this drug. If necessary you can change to warfarin after consultation with your doctor because warfarin side effects is slightly better than coumadin.
Hope I have addressed your query.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Is there any other cause for pulmonary emboli beside DVT developing elsewhere in the body? Doctor has found no evidence of DVT, so what else could be the cause?
Also, I have mild to moderate mitral valve leakage--could that help pulmonary clots develop?
Also, I have mild to moderate mitral valve leakage--could that help pulmonary clots develop?
Brief Answer:
Yes,valvular heart disease can cause pulmonary embolism.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, valvular heart diseases can cause blood clots and embolism.
So in your case mitral valve leakage can be the cause.
Other causes for Pulmonary embolism are HIV infection, immobilization, prolonged bed rest, major surgeries like pelvic surgery, replacement surgeries, trauma surgeries etc. Prolonged plane can also cause embolism.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Yes,valvular heart disease can cause pulmonary embolism.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, valvular heart diseases can cause blood clots and embolism.
So in your case mitral valve leakage can be the cause.
Other causes for Pulmonary embolism are HIV infection, immobilization, prolonged bed rest, major surgeries like pelvic surgery, replacement surgeries, trauma surgeries etc. Prolonged plane can also cause embolism.
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. Prasad
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