What are the clinical effects of embolism?

The clinical effects of an embolism depend on the type of embolism involved. For example, a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung. In most cases, the blood clot starts in a deep vein in the leg and travels to the lung. Pulmonary embolism symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how much of your lung is involved, the size of the clots, and whether you have underlying lung or heart disease. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, rapid or irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness or dizziness, excessive sweating, fever, leg pain or swelling, or both, usually in the back of the lower leg.

An air or gas embolism is a bubble that becomes trapped in a blood vessel and blocks it. This can lead to many different symptoms depending on where the blockage occurs. Symptoms of a severe air embolism might include difficulty breathing or respiratory failure and chest pain or heart failure.