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Risk: Pulmonary Embolism (DVT)
by Kaye Bailey

A 2005 study concludes that obese women younger than 40 are at risk of pulmonary embolism or DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

Pulmonary embolism is the sudden blockage of an artery in the lung. Once the artery is blocked, usually by one or more blood clots, oxygen levels in the blood drop, and blood pressure in the lungs rises.

Surgery, including weight loss surgery, puts patients at greater risk for a pulmonary embolism. A qualified surgical center will do several things to prevent a pulmonary embolism during surgery or in the hours and days following. To minimize the risk the qualified surgical center will begin therapy before a patient goes to the operating room.

Patients will wear sequential leg compression stockings and in most cases be given a blood thinner prior to surgery.

The stockings pulse and contract facilitating blood movement in the legs. The stockings will be worn and blood thinner administered throughout the hospital stay.

The third measure is having patients get out of bed and walk as soon as possible after surgery to restore normal blood flow to the legs.

The most common symptom of DVT/pulmonary embolism is shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include sharp chest pain, which can spread to the shoulder, neck, jaw, or arm. You may also have a cough that produces a pink, foamy mucus. Other symptoms may include anxiety, sweating, lightheadedness, fainting, rapid heart rate or palpitations, and an impending sense of doom. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism often begin suddenly.

Patients who have undergone surgery will be monitored at all times for signs and symptoms. Be aware of the symptoms and alert your nursing staff should you feel any of the irregularities mentioned above.

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