Yesterday, while I was using the elliptical in the gym, I heard that Serena Williams, the tennis pro, has been treated for a pulmonary embolus. My husband found out this morning upon reading the newspaper. He wondered why this would happen to a strong, young, athletic woman.
Without delving further into the specifics of her case:
A pulmonary embolism, or PE in doctor-speak, happens when a blood clot enters or forms in the blood supply to the lungs. It’s a serious condition, because when blood vessels in the lungs are compromised, the lung cells can’t deliver fresh oxygen to hemoglobin that would normally pass through in red blood cells. Symptoms sometimes but not always include shortness of breath, pain in the chest that’s sharp in quality, and fatigue. Usually the diagnosis is made by a scan, such as a VQ or a special kind of (spiral) CT.
tennis racket and ball (Wikimedia Commons)
Treatment includes a blood-thinner, usually for a period
See more Tennis News and Why a Healthy Young Woman Might Get a Pulmonary Embolism
