Who is affected by pulmonary embolism

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Who is affected by pulmonary embolism

Approximately 600,000 people in the United States are estimated to develop pulmonary embolism each year. People who have a history of having blood clots are at a higher risk for developing them again. Approximately 20% of people who develop a new pulmonary embolism will have recurrent pulmonary embolism. Recurrent episodes have a 45% death rate. Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. die from pulmonary embolism each year.¹

Pulmonary embolism affects white people more often than other races. The condition occurs in people of all ages, even children. However, the risk increases with age. Most people are at a greater risk for pulmonary embolism after age 40. Men and women are equally likely to develop pulmonary embolism, although women have a slightly higher risk during pregnancy and for a short time after pregnancy.² The risk is also higher for women who take estrogen or estrogen-like hormones for birth control or to decrease the symptoms of menopause.^{3, 4}

References

Citations

1. Lee LC, Shah K (2001). Clinical manifestation of pulmonary embolism. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 19(4): 925–942.

2. Hyers TM (1999). Venous thromboembolism. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 159(2): 1–14.

3. Grady D, et al. (2000). Postmenopausal hormone therapy increases risk for venous thromboembolic disease: The heart and estrogen/progestin replacement study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 132(9): 689–696.

4. Task Force on Pulmonary Embolism, European Society of Cardiology (2000). Task force report: Guidelines on diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. European Heart Journal, 21(16): 1301–1336.

Credits

Last updated:	February 13, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman