Pulmonary Embolism: Symptoms
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Symptoms
The symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include:
- Shortness of breath that may occur suddenly.
- Sudden, sharp chest pain that may become worse with deep breathing or coughing.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Rapid breathing.
- Sweating.
- Anxiety.
- Coughing up blood or pink, foamy mucus.
- Fainting.
- Heart palpitations.
- Signs of shock.
Pulmonary embolism may be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms may occur with or are similar to other conditions, such as a heart attack, a panic attack, or pneumonia. Also, some people with pulmonary embolism do not have symptoms.
See a list of other conditions with similar symptoms.
| Last updated: | February 13, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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