Why Do Pregnant Women Have A High Risk of Developing Pulmonary Embolism?

The risk for pregnant women is higher because of several different reasons. This article breaks down what causes the risk and how to prevent it from happening.

What is Pulmonary Embolism?

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an obstruction of blood flow from the lungs. This can be caused by several factors, including a blood clot stuck in one of the pulmonary arteries. The clot can eventually break free and block blood flow to the lungs. As a result, oxygen deprivation can occur, which can lead to serious health problems.

There are several ways that PE can happen during pregnancy. For example, a pregnant woman's increased blood volume can increase the number of blood clots. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing PE.

If you're pregnant and develop symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, you must get checked out for PE. There is no known cure for PE, but treatment typically involves removing the clot and providing medical support until the patient recovers.

Causes of Pregnancy High Risk of Developing Pulmonary Embolism

Pregnancy is a time of great change for the body and mind. The hormonal fluctuations and growth of the mother can lead to various physical changes in the foetus, including an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE).

The most common type of embolism is caused by clots forming in the body's veins and arteries. When these clots become large enough, they can break off and travel to other body parts, leading to serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.

While many factors can increase a woman's risk of developing PE, one of the most significant is pregnancy. As mentioned earlier, pregnant women are prone to clots due to increased blood flow and hormone levels. This makes them particularly susceptible to developing PE if they have any underlying health conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonic stenosis (PS).

If you are pregnant and believe you may be at high risk for developing PE, it is important to consult your doctor. He or she will be able to advise you on how to stay healthy and avoid developing this complication during pregnancy.

Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy Pulmonary Embolism

Pregnancy is a time of great change for a woman, both physically and emotionally. While many women find great joy and happiness in this time of their lives, others may experience physical changes that increase their risk of developing pulmonary embolism (PE). PE is a rare but serious complication that can occur during pregnancy and lead to serious health problems for the mother and her baby. Here are some signs and symptoms to watch for if you think your pregnant woman may be at risk of developing PE:

Chest pain or discomfort: This is one of the most common symptoms of PE and can be indicative of any number of conditions, including heart disease, an infarction (stroke), or an aortic aneurysm (a bulge in the wall of the Aorta, one of the large blood vessels leading from the heart). While it's not always easy to diagnose PE without an imaging test such as an ultrasound or CT scan, if you're worried about your pregnant woman's health, it's essential to talk to gp for pregnancy near me about symptoms.

How to Avoid Emergencies During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of increased risk for developing pulmonary embolisms, or blood clots, in the lungs. Here are some tips on how to avoid emergencies during pregnancy: 

1. regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels during your pregnancy; both can increase your risk of developing pulmonary embolism, so be sure to talk to your doctor about monitoring these conditions. 

2. be alert for the signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism: shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, lightheadedness, and extreme fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. 

3. avoid travelling if you are pregnant; this includes short trips (less than four hours) and long trips (more than eight hours). Air travel is hazardous for pregnant women because it increases their risk of developing pulmonary embolism. 

4. discuss with your doctor any medications you are taking that may raise your risk of developing pulmonary embolism; some examples include warfarin (Coumadin), birth control pills, and insulin. Inform your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms while taking these medications.