How bad is a pulmonary embolism?

Question

So my dad has just been admitted to the hospital for a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in his lung. Can anyone tell me how bad these are? He had open heart surgery about a year ago because he had a leaking heart valve. He had a seizure about a year ago but they were never actually sure if it was a seizure or a stroke. He takes blood thinners everyday since his heart surgery. Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

PEs are potentially life threatening if they embolism in one of the pulmonary arteries and are not dissolved either with medical intervention or naturally by the body. If he is in hospital he will be given drugs to thin the blood (anticoagulants) in more acute severe cases thrombotic and will be monitored. Other treatments are surgical removal of the clot called Embolectomy, this may be performed either by using catheters or with an open surgical procedures if thrombotic therapy fails or is contraindicated.  I wish your dad a speedy recovery, my father had a mild MI a few weeks ago, I know how frightening it is when someone you love is ill. I wish him a speedy recovery. God Bless
Rhianna x

Answer 2

Pulmonary embolisms can be fatal.  I do not want to scare you, but it is a fairly serious situation.  It can be very, very bad, but if he is in the hospital already, he is probably in good shape.  They will be giving him medicines and monitoring his oxygen intake, so have faith that he is in the right place, and that the doctors are doing their best to help him get better.
Additionally, be there as often as you can, and ask the doctor lots of questions.  It is always good to have an extra brain working to absorb what the doctors say, and think of questions that the patient may not be able to think of.
Best wishes for your dads speedy recovery!