Connecticut Pulmonary Embolism Attorney

Any time blockages interfere with your lungs, serious injury or death can result. Breathing is vital to human life, so when a pulmonary embolism inhibits breathing, the patient may be in serious trouble.

When blood clots form in your body, they can travel throughout your system and cause blockages. Blood clots in the legs are especially well-known for the risk of “throwing” clots that block arteries in the heart, lungs, or brain. A pulmonary embolism occurs when arteries in the lungs are blocked by a clot.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:

The good news is that pulmonary embolism is often treatable; the right medications can help break up the clots. The bad news is that doctors sometimes do not catch the pulmonary embolism in time.

Certain conditions and medications are known to cause blood clots. If you have certain risk factors, your doctor should monitor you so as to catch the signs of pulmonary embolism or other blood-clot-related conditions early.

Some risk factors for pulmonary embolism are:

• Immobility: Blood clots are more likely to form when you can’t move for a prolonged period of time. People on extended bed rest can develop blood clots quite easily. Some people can even develop clots on long airplane journeys.
• Old age: The valves that keep your blood moving deteriorate with age, leading to clots.
• Dehydration: If you are dehydrated or have a condition which causes dehydration, your blood may thicken due to the decreased water content. Thicker blood is more likely to clot.
• Recent surgery: The longer you are under general anesthesia during surgery, the more likely it is that blood clots will form. Also, certain types of surgery, such as hip replacements or knee replacements, put you at risk. Bits of tissue enter the bloodstream as doctors prepare bones for artificial joints. This debris may clog arteries, leading to clotting.
• Genetics: Due to genetic factors, some people are more prone to suffering blood clots than others. Blood clots can happen even to a healthy person, which is why doctors can often miss signs of pulmonary embolism.
• Cancer: Breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer can lead to clotting. Some forms of chemotherapy also increase the risk for clots.
• Birth control and hormone replacement therapy: These types of medications can lead to clotting. Certain brands of birth control are more likely to lead to clots than others.
• Pregnancy: The extra weight of the baby can put excessive pressure on pelvic veins, leading to blood flow issues in the legs.

If you’ve suffered a pulmonary embolism or related problem and you believe medical malpractice is to blame, contact the experienced attorneys at the Kocian Law Group.