A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from your heart to your lungs. It’s a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Research from 2022 suggests that 1 in 5 people who experience a pulmonary embolism may die within 1 year of receiving a diagnosis.

If you experience right ventricular heart failure, the risk of death within 24 hours is two to three times higher than acute pulmonary embolism without RHT. According to a 2013 review of research, this means you may die within a few hours.

However, it’s important to note that many people survive a pulmonary embolism, according to the American Lung Association.

Early treatment could help you get back to enjoying physical activities in as little as a few weeks.

Healthcare professionals use the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) and the simplified PESI (sPESI) to help determine your mortality risk within 30 days of experiencing a pulmonary embolism, known as risk stratification.

Doctors assign points to risk factors like age, underlying medical conditions, and hemodynamics to classify your risk into different categories.

According to the PESI test, the 30-day mortality risk is:

  • Class 1 (low): 1% to 6%
  • Class 2 (low): 1.7% to 3.5%
  • Class 3 (medium): 3.2% to 7.2%
  • Class 4 (high): 4% to 11.4%
  • Class 5 (high): 10% to 24.5%

According to the sPESI test, the 30-day mortality risk is 1% for 0 points and 10.9% for 1 point.

Several treatment options are available for pulmonary embolism. These aim to reduce the size of the blood in the lungs and prevent new ones from forming.

Anticoagulant drugs, also known as blood thinners, are the most common treatment for pulmonary embolism. A medical professional administers these intravenously in the hospital, and then you can take them orally at home.

Other treatments for pulmonary embolism may include:

A doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes to help prevent future pulmonary embolism, such as getting regular exercise and eating a balanced diet.

Closely following your treatment plan and staying active may help reduce your risks of developing complications associated with pulmonary embolism and improve your quality of life.