What should I do if my leg swells after a pulmonary embolism?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on May 27, 2025
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After a pulmonary embolism, swelling in the legs can occur, and this situation is very likely secondary to right heart dysfunction following the pulmonary embolism. At this time, the main treatment should focus on the pulmonary embolism. The mechanism of pulmonary embolism mainly involves thrombi from the venous system, which travel with the blood flow to the right heart and then are lodged in the pulmonary artery, causing a sudden increase in the load on the right heart and leading to right heart failure. Consequently, the blood flow from the superior and inferior vena cava cannot return to the right heart. If the blood flow in the inferior vena cava is blocked peripherally, it can cause swelling in the legs. Therefore, the primary focus should still be on treating the underlying disease, by using anticoagulants or thrombolytic therapy. Swelling in the legs can also be alleviated with diuretics, but it is crucial not to move the lower limbs carelessly, as there might still be thrombi present, and moving the limbs could lead to the dislodgment of new thrombi.

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Early symptoms of pulmonary embolism

In the early stages of pulmonary embolism, symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and decreased oxygen saturation can occur. Early signs may include chest pain, as chest pain is often an initial symptom of pulmonary embolism. Sometimes the pain can be severe, and some patients may experience coughing, dry cough, and even cough up blood. There may also be symptoms of short exhalation and difficulty breathing, especially in patients with main trunk blockages, where the difficulty in breathing can be very pronounced. In more severe cases, some may experience fainting, suddenly collapsing while walking.

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The most common symptoms of pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism is also relatively common in clinical practice, primarily caused by an embolus blocking the pulmonary artery system, leading to a group of clinical syndromes. The clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism mainly include the following points: The first is that patients may experience unexplained difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, especially after activity. The second is that patients experience significant chest pain. The third may be accompanied by hemoptysis, but usually, the amount of blood expectorated is not large. The fourth is that patients may experience restlessness, panic, and even a sense of impending doom. Clinically, there sometimes appears the so-called triad, which includes simultaneous occurrence of difficulty breathing, chest pain, and hemoptysis, etc. Pulmonary embolism is primarily diagnosed clinically through pulmonary artery CT.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
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What are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism warning sign?

Pulmonary embolism is also very common in clinical settings, mainly seen in patients who have been bedridden for a long time, undergone various major surgeries, suffered from long bone fractures, pregnancy, etc. In the early stages of pulmonary embolism, patients generally experience varying degrees of chest pain, hemoptysis, and difficulty breathing, among others. If pulmonary embolism is suspected and the patient's condition permits, a pulmonary artery CTA scan should be immediately carried out to further confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. If the pulmonary embolism has already caused circulatory disturbances, thrombolytic therapy should then be considered.

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What are the early symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

The early symptoms of pulmonary embolism are clinically diverse and often non-specific. Mild cases may not present any symptoms at all. Common symptoms include the following: 1. Unexplained difficulty in breathing; 2. Pain in the precordial region; 3. Some patients initially present with fainting as the first clinical symptom; 4. Some patients may also experience irritability, fear, or a near-death feeling; 5. Early symptoms can also include coughing, coughing up blood, and palpitations. Pulmonary embolism is a critical condition in clinical settings. Once it occurs, it is essential to go to the hospital promptly for an accurate diagnosis and to receive effective treatment to avoid severe clinical consequences.

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Can I eat lamb if I have pulmonary embolism?

Patients with pulmonary embolism can appropriately eat mutton, as it is acceptable in their case. For pulmonary embolism, it is advocated to follow a light diet, avoiding spicy, irritating food, and excessively greasy food to prevent aggravating the gastrointestinal burden of the patient. Additionally, it is acceptable for patients with pulmonary embolism to consume some meat, as long as it is not fatty meat. Once diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, patients should receive active treatment, which often requires anticoagulant therapy. If the condition is not too severe, simple anticoagulant treatment may allow the patient’s condition to recover. However, if the pulmonary embolism is more severe, thrombolytic therapy may be necessary. After thrombolytic treatment, vascular anticoagulant therapy is given to manage the patient's condition.