Symptoms of pulmonary embolism after surgery
During an operation and the subsequent bed rest, the blood flow is slowed down. If there are additional factors that promote thrombosis, i.e. the formation of a blood clot in the veins, such as taking the pill, coagulation disorders or varicose veins, this can lead to a pulmonary embolism with the typical symptoms of a fast heartbeat over 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) and an acceleration and flattening of breathing. Coughing, with or without bloody sputum, can also occur as part of pulmonary embolism.
Another symptom is chest pain, which may increase with inhalation. Lying down, ventilation during the operation and poor ventilation of the lung section affected by the pulmonary embolism can lead to pneumonia. The patient will then have fever and chills, but also cough and shortness of breath.
If it is a severe pulmonary embolism, the patient may experience difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to circulatory collapse. Typically, these symptoms occur when the patient starts to move properly for the first time after long periods of bed rest. Some patients then also complain of restlessness, are anxious and do not want to lie down flat. Often there are parallel signs of thrombosis in one leg from which the blood clot has entered the lung. The leg hurts, is reddened and thicker than the healthy leg.
Pulmonary embolism after pregnancy
A thrombosis, i.e. a blood clot that can lead to a pulmonary embolism, occurs in one or two women after pregnancy. It occurs mainly in women who have an increased risk of thrombosis. These are, for example, women over 35, overweight or women who have undergone artificial insemination.
There is an increased risk of pulmonary embolism in the first two to twelve weeks after pregnancy.It is therefore important to know about the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism and, if necessary, to talk to your doctor about thrombosis prophylaxis. During pregnancy, the blood naturally thickens because more red blood cells are produced to supply the child with sufficient oxygen. Together with other factors that promote the formation of a blood clot, this thrombosis can lead to pulmonary embolism when the blood clot reaches the bloodstream of the lungs.
There are some warning symptoms, such as premature loosening of the placenta or high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia or gestation), which should make one think of pulmonary embolism. But a Caesarean section also increases the risk of a thromboembolism. If a pulmonary embolism occurs after pregnancy, typical symptoms would be an acceleration of the heartbeat (tachycardia), breath-dependent chest pain and accelerated breathing.
It can also be accompanied by coughing with or without bloody sputum. A pronounced pulmonary embolism can lead to a drop in blood pressure, circulatory failure and respiratory arrest. In the case of a pulmonary embolism after pregnancy, patients are often anxious or restless. In addition, the typical symptoms of deep vein thrombosis of the legs can occur: Swelling, pain, redness and hardening of the affected leg. More about this:
- Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy
