Question:

How dangerous is a blood clot in the lung and how do you treat it.

Answer:

A blood clot in the lung, usually called a pulmonary embolism — PE for short — is quite dangerous, causing about 20,000 deaths per year. Depending on its size, position in the lung, and the effect the clot is having on the patient, the clot may be treated with a clot-busting drug or blood thinning medications. Occasionally more invasive procedures including surgery are used. 

Please visit the following web site for further information on pulmonary embolisms: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pulmonary-embolism/DS00429  

For more information:

Go to the Smoking and Tobacco health topic.