Pulmonary embolism how long in hospital

Other, newer blood-thinning medications are also available. In situations when a PE has become life threatening, clot-busting medications called thrombolytics may be given prior to blood-thinning medications. These strong medications work to dissolve blood clots.

Some people, including those at a higher risk for another serious blood clot, may need to continue taking it for a longer period of time. These can begin anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months after your PE. During these appointments, your doctor will evaluate how your recovery is progressing. Blood tests are used to help your doctor gauge how well your medications are working and how well your body is tolerating them.

Three months after your PE diagnosis, your doctor will consider whether you need to continue on with blood-thinning medications. These can include things like:.

During this time, listen to what your body is telling you. If a certain activity leaves you feeling short of breath or in pain, stop doing it and rest until you feel better. In some cases, it may be possible to return to work within weeks. Physical activity is often encouraged after a PE, as it can improve both circulation and lung function. It may be a good idea to start out with low-intensity activities, such as walking or yoga.

As you recover, you can slowly begin increasing the intensity of your activities. During your follow-up appointments, ask your doctor for exercise recommendations.

Based on the progression of your recovery, they can help give you an idea of what level of physical activity is appropriate. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, your body needs time to heal and recover. Take some time every couple of hours to get up and walk around for a few minutes. Here are some potentially serious complications that are important to keep an eye out for as you recover from a PE. Increased bleeding is a side effect of blood-thinning medications.

This can be serious, so seek medical attention right away if you notice any of the following while on blood thinners:. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, nearly 1 in 3 people who have a venous blood clot, like deep vein thrombosis DVT or PE, will experience another in the next 10 years. In some people who have had a PE, scar tissue can form in nearby arteries, causing them to become narrower.

This can lead to a condition called pulmonary hypertension. The American Lung Association recommends making an appointment with your doctor to be tested for pulmonary hypertension if you still have trouble with breathing 6 months after your PE.

If not, PE can become life threatening. In fact, with prompt care, mortality from PE drops from 30 percent to 8 percent. Conclusions: Several hospital and patient factors were independently associated with LOS. Patients with a very short LOS had greater postdischarge mortality relative to patients with a typical LOS, suggesting that physicians may inappropriately select patients with PE for early discharge who are at increased risk of complications.

Publication types Research Support, N. Symptoms of the more serious and potentially life-threatening condition of pulmonary embolism include:. If you have never had a blood clot before but suspect you may be suffering from one, it is best to seek immediate medical attention by either scheduling a visit with your primary care physician, a vein specialist or visiting the emergency room.

People who have a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolisms will want to seek immediate medical attention. Immediate medical attention is needed to get prompt treatment and to prevent the blood clot that has formed from turning life-threatening. After a hospital stay, it is important to follow up with a vein specialist. A vein specialist will be able to create a customized treatment plan that will try to prevent blood clots from forming in the future.

Looking for a vein specialist in the Miami area to visit after a hospital stay for DVT or blood clots? Call Vein to request an appointment with one of our experienced vein specialists.