Key Symptoms For Embolism: Difficulty Breathing, Chest Pain, And Cough

Date: Oct-24-2012Difficulty Breathing, Chest Pain, And Cough

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma

Article Date: 24 Oct 2012 - 1:00 PDT

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Key Symptoms For Embolism: Difficulty Breathing, Chest Pain, And Cough


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Difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough may sound like symptoms of a heart attack; however, new research shows that these are the key symptoms for pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially fatal blockage in the lung.

A research team from Saint Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, retrospectively reviewed the clinical features, risk factors, and ECG findings in 334 patients with confirmed PE.

Results showed that dyspnea or difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough were present in 72%, 38%, and 19% of the patients, respectively, and dyspnea was the only presenting symptom in 29%.

Cancer was the most common risk factor present in 27%, followed by prior history of deep vein thrombosis or PE, immobilization, and surgery in 19%, 15%, and 15%, respectively.
Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.