Yaz Pulmonary Embolism

Some women may be at risk of suffering Yaz pulmonary embolism due to blood clots that form in their leg veins. Most cases of PE originate from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins (usually the legs). Doctors are responsible for informing women regarding the increased risk of clotting and pulmonary embolism while using Yaz birth control. However, many women remain unaware that blood clots can also cause pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Unlike Yaz PE, which can be fatal in severe cases, PH is rarely so. However, it is no less serious a condition, and can lead to lifelong complications.

The Link Between Yaz PE And Pulmonary Hypertension

The majority of PE cases occur when clots in the deep veins embolize. That is, they break free of the venous lining and travel with the bloodstream toward your heart and lungs. As blood flows from the heart to the lungs to receive oxygen, these clots can move into one of your lung arteries. If they become lodged within these blood vessels, they can prevent blood from reaching your lung tissue. This triggers a pulmonary embolism.

Clots that migrate into the pulmonary arteries and cause a partial blockage will still allow blood to reach your lung tissue. However, the right side of your heart will need to work harder in order to push blood through the restricted passage. This causes the blood pressure in your lung arteries to rise, a condition known as pulmonary hypertension.

Both PE and PH can originate from the same root cause: Yaz blood clots in the leg veins. While the side effects of PH are typically milder than those that accompany PE, complications may still occur.

Potential Complications Of Pulmonary Hypertension

With PH, your symptoms may include dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and an accelerated heartbeat. These side effects can usually be treated with medications (we'll address this in more detail below). Of greater concern are complications that stem from the increased workload placed upon your heart.

In the absence of high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, the right side of your heart is less muscular than the left side. This is because less muscle is needed to pump blood into your lungs than to pump it into your aorta. With pulmonary hypertension, the right side is forced to work harder. The right ventricle expands and thickens in order to handle the increased pressure. Unfortunately, this is a temporary solution. The right ventricle eventually fails under the strain - a condition known as cor pulmonale.

Another problem involves clotting. Because blood is unable to flow freely through the restricted pulmonary artery, a portion may pool within the right ventricle. This sets the stage for clots to form within the chamber. As with DVT, the clots can embolize and roam into the lung arteries, triggering a pulmonary embolism.

How Pulmonary Hypertension Is Treated

Treatment for PH is different than that used to resolve or control Yaz PE problems. The condition seldom warrants invasive procedures, such as suction thrombectomy (a catheter-based technique) or pulmonary embolectomy (i.e. surgery). At the same time, your doctor will want to prevent PH from causing cor pulmonale, ventricular clotting, or pulmonary embolism. This is accomplished with medications.

Vasodilators are useful if the restricted blood vessel has dilated. These are drugs that widen the passage in order to increase blood flow and reduce arterial blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers may also be helpful in widening the passage. Diuretics might be given if excess fluid has accumulated; they help reduce the pressure placed on the right ventricle. Anticoagulants are usually prescribed to minimize the likelihood of clotting in the chamber.

In extreme cases, pulmonary hypertension may require an open-chest operation called atrial septostomy. A surgeon will make a small hole between the left and right atria of the heart. This reduces the pressure placed on the right side of your heart, but can lead to further complications.

About the Author:

David Whitney is the author of this article on Yasmin lawsuit gallbladder. Find more information about Yasmin gallbladder settlement here.