- Blood Clots in Your Lungs - Smoking Facts about Pulmonary Emboli
Developing blood clots in the lungs is one of the dangers of cigarette smoking related diseases.
The smoking facts show that pulmonary emboli carry a significant risk of death and
there are few if any warning signs of the
clot formation.
Many of the risk factors for developing blood clots
are also known to be among the dangers of cigarette smoking.
Smoking Facts About Pulmonary Emboli
It is interesting to note that some sources list smoking as a risk factor for pulmonary emboli but most do not.
Instead deep vein thrombosis as a result of prolonged immobility is listed as the single greatest
risk factor.
However, many of the diseases that are known to be possible dangers of cigarette smoking are listed as risk factors for
pulmonary emboli. These include
stroke,
peripheral vascular disease,
heart problems.
It is already been shown that smoking is a risk factor for each of these conditions.
It is almost a chicken and egg argument.
Does smoking cause lung blood clots or does smoking cause
the conditions that cause lung blood clots?
If a blood clot travels to your lungs and causes obstruction you may experience:
sudden shortness of breath including rapid breathing, or wheezing
coughing up bloody sputum
lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
sharp pain in the chest or the back
And does the answer really matter? If you smoke you place yourself at risk to
develop many of the well established health dangers of cigarette smoking that can lead to blood clotting and pulmonary emboli.
If you are inactive, have surgery, are immobilized or on birth control pills or other female hormone
replacement therapy you amplify your risk.
Almost 30% of blood clots in the lungs are fatal, most often within 24 hours.
The purpose of the information provided here is to help you cooperate with your doctor and other
health practitioners. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice and you are encouraged to
discuss health concerns with your physician or a professional health care provider who is
familiar with you and your unique personal health context.
