What is Pulmonary embolism?
[[File:Blausen 0089 BloodClot Motion.png|thumb|Illustration of a blood clot traveling through the [[blood vessel]]s until it gets stuck. A pulmonary embolism is often caused by a blood clot that forms somewhere else in the body, travels to the lungs and gets stuck there.]] A '''pulmonary embolism''' is a [[clot]] of material (an '''emboli''') that blocks [[blood]] from getting to the [[lung]]s. It is usually caused by a [[Clot|blood clot]] that starts somewhere else in the body and travels to the lungs. However, it can also be caused by clumped [[cancer]] [[cell]]s, [[fat]], or [[bone]]. Rarely, while giving birth, a woman can get a clot of [[amniotic fluid]].<ref name=Tx>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pe/treatment |title=How is Pulmonary Embolism Treated? |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 1, 2011 |website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov |publisher=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – National Institutes of Health |accessdate=December 31, 2015 |quote=}}</ref> == Symptoms == [[Symptom]]s of a pulmonary embolism start suddenly, as soon as the clot starts blocking blood flow to the lungs. Blood is supposed to pick up [[oxygen]] in the lungs and then carry that oxygen to the rest of the body, and pick up [[carbon dioxide]] to breathe out. If blood cannot get through to the lungs it cannot pick up oxygen, or deliver it to the body. Every part of the body needs blood and oxygen to survive. Often, the first sign of a pulmonary embolism is [[syncope]] (fainting), because the [[brain]] is not getting enough blood and oxygen. Massive PE causes [[troponin]] T and I levels to rise from causing right ventricular heart strain. Other symptoms include:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pe/signs |title=What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism? |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 1, 2011 |website=www.nhlbi.nih.gov |publisher=National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – National Institutes of Health |accessd