What are the consequences of a pulmonary embolism?

Introduction

The consequences of a pulmonary embolism depend very much on the severity of the pulmonary embolism. With the smallest embolisms, the symptoms are so minor that the embolism goes unnoticed for several months. A fulminant pulmonary embolism leads to death within a few minutes.

Since the lung is responsible for the oxygen supply of the entire body, the consequences usually affect many different organ systems. The lungs, heart and brain are most affected. In addition, the consequences of pulmonary embolism are always heavily dependent on how quickly an affected person is treated.

What are the consequences of pulmonary embolism?

Consequences of oxygen deficiency: organ damage (especially lung, brain, heart, kidney) Consequences of blood clot Damage to lung tissue Damage to heart due to increased blood pressure Psychological consequences Multiorgan failure (failure of several organs) with possibly fatal consequences

  • Consequences of oxygen deficiency: damage to organs (especially lungs, brain, heart, kidney)
  • Organ damage (especially lung, brain, heart, kidney)
  • Consequences of the blood clot Damage to the lung tissue Damage to the heart due to increased blood pressure
  • Damage to the lung tissue
  • Damage to the heart due to increased blood pressure
  • Mental consequences
  • Multi-organ failure (failure of several organs) with potentially fatal consequences
  • Organ damage (especially lung, brain, heart, kidney)
  • Damage to the lung tissue
  • Damage to the heart due to increased blood pressure

The heart is most severely affected by severe pulmonary embolisms. In a pulmonary embolism, one or more vessels are blocked by a thrombus (blood clot). The area behind the clot is no longer supplied with blood, and no oxygen can be absorbed into the blood.

This has two effects on the body: there is a reduced supply of oxygen and the blockage causes higher blood pressure in the pulmonary vessels. The lack of oxygen can damage all organs of the body. Among other things, the heart can also be affected.

Since every heartbeat consists of actions of the heart muscles, oxygen is consumed here. If the heart is not supplied with sufficient oxygen, this damages the individual heart muscle cells. In the worst case, tissue death can occur.

As a result, heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) can develop. But it is not only the lack of oxygen that has an effect on the heart. The increased blood pressure in the pulmonary vessels also poses a challenge to the heart muscles.

As a result of the constipation, the heart has to pump continuously against increased pressure. Initially, the heart muscle cells can compensate for this increased demand, but this is not possible in the long term. Right heart failure occurs, the right ventricle dilates (enlarges) and then becomes insufficient (poorly functioning).

In the case of a pulmonary embolism, the heart is required to increase its pumping capacity, since the lungs need to be pumped to counteract the increased blood pressure. At the same time, part of the lung is no longer functional due to the embolism, so that the heart is supplied with less oxygen. This combination of increased work and reduced oxygen supply can seriously damage the heart.

In the worst case, this can lead to immediate cardiac arrest. Immediate resuscitation is necessary, but does not always end successfully. Depending on its severity, a pulmonary embolism can leave various traces in the psyche of the affected person.

The fulminant pulmonary embolism is an acutely life-threatening situation. It leads to shortness of breath, palpitations and heavy sweating. If the pulmonary embolism is so severe that temporary cardiac arrest occurs and the person has to be resuscitated, the psychological consequences are all the more severe.

Many affected persons then suffer from anxiety or panic disorders. They can no longer really trust their body and fear another serious illness at the slightest sign. It is helpful here if professional psychological help is already offered during the stay in hospital and during rehabilitation.

In this way, the illness can be discussed immediately after its occurrence, and the long-term psychological consequences are then usually significantly mitigated. But even a less acute pulmonary embolism can leave its mark. If only small pulmonary embolisms occur, they are often not diagnosed for a long period of time, as the symptoms are very unspecific.

In most cases, symptoms such as shortness of breath and increased pulse rate only occur under stress. Therefore, the symptoms may be dismissed as lack of training, signs of aging and lack of fitness.Affected people feel that after some time they are no longer taken seriously because nobody really responds to their complaints. Usually, however, the problem is solved with the diagnosis, since the cause of the disease has been clarified and eliminated.