Sudden chest pain... Trouble breathing...Coughing up blood... A pulmonary embolism can be one of the scariest medical experiences to endure. Even more frightening is embolisms usually come on with absolutely no warning, and they can be downright deadly. Would you know what to look for? 

Read on to learn more about pulmonary embolism and ways to reduce risk. 

What is a pulmonary embolism? 

With a heart attack, arteries that lead to the heart are blocked. Similarly, blood clots that form in veins all over the body can travel to the lungs. These ticking time bombs are known as embolisms – and death may occur within the hour. According to American Nurse Today, up to 26 percent of pulmonary embolism cases are fatal. In the United States alone, an estimated 780,000 cases occur annually, according the report.