A blood clot in the lung, also known as a pulmonary embolism, occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets stuck in an artery in the lungs, blocking the flow of blood. Blood clots most commonly come from the deep veins of your legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) . In many cases, multiple clots are involved. The portions of lung served by each blocked artery cant get blood and may die, which is known as a pulmonary infarction. This makes it more difficult for your lungs to provide oxygen to the rest of your body. Occasionally, blockages in the blood vessels are caused by substances other than blood clots, such as air bubbles, fat embolus, and a deep vein thrombosis in the upper body.

The following are some of the risk factors for developing a blood clot in the lung:

• Genetic conditions that increase the risk of blood clot formation
• Not moving for a long time or having changes in normal blood flow
• Blood that’s more likely to clot, which could be caused by medications, like birth control pills, smoking, cancer, recent surgery, or pregnancy
• Damage to a blood vessel wall, which can be caused by injury to your lower leg or a big bone break

If you have any symptoms of pulmonary embolism, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or a rapid heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately.