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Pulmonary Embolism Higher Among Blacks In US

Source: Medindia

Pulmonary embolism is higher among Blacks in US, a new study shows.

Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from another part of your body most commonly, your legs.

Pulmonary embolism can occur in otherwise healthy people. It can be life-threatening, but prompt treatment with anti-clotting medications can greatly reduce the risk of death.

A new study of 1,960 White-Americans and 368 Black-Americans with objectively diagnosed venous thromboembolism (VTE) showed that, compared to Whites, Blacks had a significantly higher proportion with pulmonary embolism (PE), including idiopathic PE among Black women, and a significantly higher proportion of Blacks with VTE were women (71% vs 61% for Whites) The study is published today in the American Journal of Hematology.

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