Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms Quiz
This quick quiz can help you think through symptoms and risk factors that may be seen with a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that travels to the lungs. It is for health education only and cannot diagnose a clot or replace emergency medical care.
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When to seek urgent care
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| Score | Answer | Note |
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No higher-scoring answers stood out — your responses pointed toward lower concern.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this quiz, what it covers, and what your results mean.
If you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, blue lips, or severe symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care now. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs prompt medical evaluation. It is for health education only. It does not diagnose any medical condition. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms.
A pulmonary embolism, or PE, is a blockage in an artery in the lungs. It is often caused by a blood clot that forms in the leg and travels to the lungs.
A PE can reduce blood flow and oxygen in the lungs and strain the heart. Some cases are life-threatening, so sudden chest pain or shortness of breath needs prompt medical care.
Most pulmonary embolisms are caused by blood clots from deep veins in the legs or pelvis. Risk can rise after surgery, long periods of sitting, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, cancer, or a prior clot.
People with a history of DVT or PE, recent surgery or hospitalization, long travel, limited movement, active cancer, pregnancy or recent childbirth, or certain clotting disorders may have higher risk.
Yes. PE is less common in people without risk factors, but it can still happen, especially after long travel, injury, surgery, or an unrecognized clotting tendency.
Common symptoms can include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths, fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, coughing, and sometimes coughing up blood.
A clot in the leg may cause one-sided calf or leg swelling, pain, warmth, redness, or tightness. These symptoms can happen before or along with chest or breathing symptoms.
Clinicians diagnose PE using your symptoms, risk factors, vital signs, blood tests, and imaging when needed. CT pulmonary angiography, ultrasound of the legs, or other imaging may be used.
A D-dimer test may help rule out a clot in some low-risk people, but it is not used alone to diagnose PE. Other tests may include blood counts, kidney function, clotting tests such as PT/INR, and heart strain markers depending on the situation.
No. PT/INR does not diagnose pulmonary embolism. It measures clotting time and is often used to monitor certain blood thinners or assess clotting status as part of broader care.
Sometimes pain from lung irritation can be felt in the back, shoulder, or upper abdomen. If that pain is new and occurs with shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting, seek medical care.
An untreated PE can get worse, strain the heart, lower oxygen levels, or become life-threatening. That is why concerning symptoms should be evaluated quickly.
Recovery time varies. Some people improve within days to weeks after treatment, while others have fatigue, shortness of breath, or reduced stamina for months and need follow-up care.
Go to the ER or call 911 for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, coughing up blood, blue lips, severe weakness, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening.
Anxiety can cause shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a racing heartbeat, but those symptoms can also have serious medical causes. If symptoms are new, severe, or include risk factors for clots, seek medical evaluation.