Who is affected by pulmonary embolism
Approximately 600,000 people in the United States are estimated to develop pulmonary embolism each year. People who have a history of having blood clots are at a higher risk for developing them again. Approximately 20% of people who develop a new pulmonary embolism will have recurrent pulmonary embolism. Recurrent episodes have a 45% death rate. Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. die from pulmonary embolism each year.1
Pulmonary embolism affects white people more often than other races. The condition occurs in people of all ages, even children. However, the risk increases with age. Most people are at a greater risk for pulmonary embolism after age 40. Men and women are equally likely to develop pulmonary embolism, although women have a slightly higher risk during pregnancy and for a short time after pregnancy.2 The risk is also higher for women who take estrogen or estrogen-like hormones for birth control or to decrease the symptoms of menopause.3, 4
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: February 13, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology | |
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