Pulmonary embolisms happen when the arterial blood that enters the lungs stops flowing properly because of a blockage on the artery. This blockage may be a blood clot that traveled up from a leg or another part of the body. Ribcage pain is one of the symptoms, along with coughing (or coughing up blood), rapid breathing, breathlessness, lightheadedness, sweating, anxiety, and irregular heartbeats. As less air reaches the lungs and the other organs, PE can have serious consequences. The diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism is quite a quick process, and treating it promptly can prevent complications and fatalities.

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