Diagnosis & treatment
A pulmonary embolism (PE) can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often vary. To determine if a PE is present, healthcare providers review a person’s medical history, assess symptoms and risk factors, perform a physical exam, and order imaging and blood tests.
Diagnosis may include:
- •CT angiography or lung imaging
- •Blood tests such as D-dimer
- •Specialized lung scans to assess blood flow and oxygen exchange