Does pulmonary embolism cause coughing up blood?

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lung. The blockage can injure a small area of lung tissue, which may lead to blood appearing in mucus when you cough. The amount may be streaks or more noticeable blood. Coughing blood also has other causes, including infections and airway irritation, so the symptom alone cannot identify the cause.

Seek urgent medical assessment, especially if the blood is new or unexplained. Tell the clinician when it started, whether it followed a cough or illness, and whether you have chest pain, breathlessness, a fast heartbeat, faintness, or swelling and pain in one leg. Avoid driving yourself if you feel weak, dizzy, or short of breath. A clinician may examine you and arrange tests to look for a clot and other sources of bleeding.

Call emergency services now for coughing up blood with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, collapse, severe light-headedness, blue or grey lips, confusion, or bleeding that is heavy or continuing. These symptoms can signal a serious problem requiring immediate treatment. Even without these features, arrange same-day assessment for new coughing up blood.

Ask what possible causes fit your symptoms, which tests are needed today, and what changes mean you should return urgently. If a pulmonary embolism is suspected or confirmed, ask about the treatment plan, medicines to avoid, and follow-up.