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WEBVTT UNG ALIKE. IN TONIGHT’S “WOMAN’S DOCTOR,” 11 NEWS REPORTER MINDY BASARA EXPLAINS WHO’S AT RISK FOR THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION. >> JO SUE LIVESAY WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY WHEN SHE SUDDENLY HAD TROUBLE BREATHING. >> JUST GOING (BREATHLESS SOUNDS), SO UM, THAT’S HOW I KNEW. I DIDN’T HAVE ANY PAIN, I JUST KNEW I HAD DIFFICULTY BREATHING. >> JO SUE HAD A PULMONARY EMBOLISMA BLOOD CLOT THAT TRAVELED TO HER LUNG AND BECAME TRAPPED IN A BLOOD VESSEL. MERCY MEDICAL CENTER DOCTOR ALBERT POLITO SAYS SMOKING AND BEING OVERWEIGHT CAN PUT ANYONE AT RISK, BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. >> IF YOU’VE GONE THROUGH SURGERY, ESPECIALLY SURGERY WHERE YOU’RE LAID UP AFTERWARDS, AND ARE IMMOBILE FOR SOME REASON. INACTIVITY OF ANY PROLONGED NATURE, SO IF YOU’RE ON A LONG CAR RIDE OR A LONG PLANE RIDE, IN CRAMPED POSITION, THAT’S ANOTHER RISK FACTOR, PREGNANCY IS A RISK FACTOR. >> AND THE REASON? DOCTOR POLITO SAYS AN EMBOLISM STARTS IN THE LEGS. >> THE MUSCLES OF THE LEGS SQUEEZE THE VEINS AND ACTUALLY HELP TO PROMOTE BLOOD FLOW TO RETURN TO THE HEART, BUT IF YOU’RE NOT MOVING OR THERE’S SOME OTHER REASON THAT THAT’S AN ISSUE; PREGNANT WOMEN, THE ENLARGING UTERUS PRESSES ON THE BLOOD VESSELS, AND IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE BLOOD TO RETURN BACK TO THE HEART. THIS CAN MAKE THE BLOOD VERY SLUGGISH IN THE VEINS OF THE LEGS, YOU GET CLOTS, THEY BREAK OFF AND GO TO THE LUNGS. >> JO SUE WAS LUCKY SHE WAS TREATED WITH BLOOD THINNERS AND THANKS HER HUSBAND FOR GETTING HER TO THE HOSPITAL IN TIME. HER ADVICE TO OTHERS? >> DON’T SIT AROUND AND WAIT. >> IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
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What is a pulmonary embolism, Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death?
Catherine O’Hara died at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause.A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of the actor’s Jan. 30 death. Rectal cancer was the long-term cause.What is a pulmonary embolism?A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs.Most commonly, the blood clot starts in a deep vein in the leg and travels to the lungs. In rare cases, the blood clot forms in a vein in another part of the body. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and fainting. Other symptoms may include a cough containing blood, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness or dizziness, sweating, fever, leg pain or swelling, and clammy or discolored skin, called cyanosis. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. About one-third of people with an undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don’t survive. However, prompt treatment greatly reduces the risk of death.Who is at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism?Anyone can develop blood clots that result in a pulmonary embolism—however, certain factors may increase your risk, including family history and certain medical conditions.If you or any of your blood relatives have had venous blood clots or a pulmonary embolism in the past, you are at a higher risk.Certain medical conditions and treatments also put you at a higher risk, including cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and surgery. Surgery is one of the leading causes of blood clots, which is why medicine may be given before and after major surgery to prevent clots.Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, supplemental estrogen and pregnancy.
Catherine O’Hara died at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause.
A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of the actor’s Jan. 30 death. Rectal cancer was the long-term cause.
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What is a pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs.
Most commonly, the blood clot starts in a deep vein in the leg and travels to the lungs. In rare cases, the blood clot forms in a vein in another part of the body.
Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and fainting. Other symptoms may include a cough containing blood, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness or dizziness, sweating, fever, leg pain or swelling, and clammy or discolored skin, called cyanosis.
A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. About one-third of people with an undiagnosed and untreated pulmonary embolism don’t survive. However, prompt treatment greatly reduces the risk of death.
Who is at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism?
Anyone can develop blood clots that result in a pulmonary embolism—however, certain factors may increase your risk, including family history and certain medical conditions.
If you or any of your blood relatives have had venous blood clots or a pulmonary embolism in the past, you are at a higher risk.
Certain medical conditions and treatments also put you at a higher risk, including cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and surgery.
Surgery is one of the leading causes of blood clots, which is why medicine may be given before and after major surgery to prevent clots.
Other risk factors include smoking, obesity, supplemental estrogen and pregnancy.
