US Medical Term · conditions
Pulmonary Embolism
Embolia pulmonar
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Pulmonary Embolism |
| Spanish (Español) | Embolia pulmonar |
| Chinese (中文) | 肺栓塞 |
| Korean (한국어) | 폐색전증 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thuyên tắc phổi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pulmonary Embolism |
| Portuguese (Português) | Embolia pulmonar |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ลิ่มเลือดอุดตันในปอด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 肺塞栓症 |
What it means
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in one or more arteries in the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot that travels from the legs or elsewhere in the body. A large PE can be immediately life-threatening by blocking blood flow through the lungs. Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing, rapid heart rate, coughing up blood, and feeling faint. PE is a medical emergency requiring immediate care. Treatment includes blood-thinning medications, clot-dissolving drugs, or in severe cases surgical removal of the clot. Long-term anticoagulation therapy is usually required to prevent recurrence.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I was hospitalized for a pulmonary embolism last month and was sent home on a blood thinner.
Fui hospitalizado por una embolia pulmonar el mes pasado y me enviaron a casa con un anticoagulante.
I still feel short of breath after my pulmonary embolism and want to know if this is normal.
Todavía me siento con falta de aire después de mi embolia pulmonar y quiero saber si es normal.
How long do I need to stay on anticoagulant therapy after a pulmonary embolism?
¿Cuánto tiempo necesito seguir con la terapia anticoagulante después de una embolia pulmonar?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
I26 Pulmonary embolismRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026