How common is chest pain in pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the lungs. The irritation and strain around the affected vessel can produce sudden, sharp chest pain that is worse with breathing or coughing. Breathlessness, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, coughing, or coughing up blood may also occur. Some people have leg pain or swelling from a clot in a deep vein. Chest pain has many causes, but this condition needs prompt assessment because the blockage can affect oxygen flow and heart function.

Treat sudden chest pain with breathlessness as an emergency, especially after recent surgery, prolonged immobility, pregnancy, or a previous clot. Call emergency services and avoid driving yourself. Keep still while waiting, follow the dispatcher's instructions, and tell the team when symptoms started and whether one leg is swollen or painful. Do not take someone else's blood-thinning medicine.

Get emergency help immediately for sudden or severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, confusion, a very fast heartbeat, blue lips, or coughing up blood. A pulmonary embolism can worsen quickly and cannot be ruled out safely from symptoms alone. Emergency clinicians may use an examination and tests to decide whether a clot is present and which treatment is appropriate.

Could my symptoms indicate a clot in the lung? Do I need urgent tests? What risk factors should I address? If treatment is prescribed, how should I take it and which bleeding symptoms require help?