Exercise After Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

[@allickproductions3848]

Last month Had a p.e that lead to a cardiac arrest. Was very healthy and worked out 4 times a week before this happened. Was able to lift 37kg now can only lift 5kg. So thanks for the information

[@Angiologist]

I am very sorry to hear about your event. Sounds very unnerving. I hope you get back to your activity soon. I hope that you are being cared for by a physician with expertise in PE. All the best and thanks for sharing!

[@derx6666]

I had a right calf thrombosis and high PE in Jan '22. I was road cycling 10-12hrs a week at that point. Got it a week after getting the booster Covid vac. I was really lucky though as I had more pain in my calf than my lungs. They first didn't want to scan my lungs for PE in the hospital, as I didn't had a clear indication that I had a PE, as I was still breathing quite normally and my O2 was still fine. They did the scan in the end, which confirmed the PE. Been on 20mg Xarelto ever since. Started cycling again at very low intensity after about 2 weeks, and slowly started to build again. Took me about a year to get anywhere close to my previous performance.

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for sharing. Sorry to hear about your slow recovery. As for how long to treat - I cannot offer specific advice, but I think you can benefit from seeing a clot expert and discussing treatment dose and treatment duration. That would be a hematologist or a vascular MEDICINE (not surgeon) doctor. All the best!

[@gabigab1066]

did you have tvp as i have it too, i also take xarleto 20 mg a day???

[@Cekatu]

​@@Angiologistcan a clot move from the leg to the lungs in a matter of hours? I ask this because I went to the ER and told them I had a traveling clot in my leg. I was not treated as an emergency. Hours later I see a doctor.... and now the clot is no where to be found. I was sent for a doplar ultrasound and still no clot. The doctor concluded "well you don't have any clots". Luckily the shift changed and another doctor took over my case. She insisted that if a clot was in my foot, then it's still in my body, and she can't send me home without locating it. Long story short. I now have bilateral PE. I strongly believe that one of those clots went to my lungs while waiting in the ER. But I don't know if they can travel that distance in a matter of hours.

[@Angiologist]

While I cannot comment about your case, I can say that most pulmonary emboli originate from the legs. As some point the clot (or part of it) moves from the leg veins to the lungs. In some people it happens more quickly than in others.

[@Cekatu]

@@Angiologist Thank you for your response.

[@Naticus_unfiltered]

So I’m 48 and had a PE last year while trying to run on the treadmill. Planned to jog for 5 min but passed out around 1:40. Being afraid to work out now is a thing. I’m seeing a cardiovascular doc who has prescribed Eliquis for the foreseeable future because they cannot find the reason for the PE. However, it definitely started in the left leg. Ultrasound found three clots there. It was determined that the PE caused minimal heart damage. I think it becomes more mental than anything after the event. I believe inactivity is where it originated from but there’s no real way to prove it. I was in the best shape of my life 5 years ago and have now gained 100 pounds since then mainly because I’m afraid to push myself like before. My diet has also suffered because of stress and food being the ease to that stress. Just a lot to handle especially after being so active before.

[@Angiologist]

I am very sorry to hear. But thank you for sharing because many people experience anxiety related to the PE just like you are describing but we do not talk about it enough. I hope you get back to doing what you like.

[@SLShreve]

I had a Saddle PE about 18 months ago. I have not recovered well. Dr has prescribed pulmonary rehab for Post PE Syndrome, but insurance won’t cover. I am overweight but was active (volleyball, hiking, etc) Most of the drs try to say my inability to be active is because I’m overweight……forgetting I was able to do these days before the SPE. I am now able to go for a walk. A trip through the grocery store is still difficult almost all the time! When we go for walks, I have to stop and sit at the benches….. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Everything in life is difficult: picking up the baby, making dinner, talking, cleaning the house, driving- EVERYTHING! I would like to get to the point where it’s not a difficulty any longer. I have a ton of chest pain and shortness of breath. I also have some muscular pain in my upper back and around the lower parts of my ribs/lungs. I also now have chronic pleurisy. I know how fortunate I am to be alive! Thank you for this video- it’s great!

[@Angiologist]

Sorry to hear about your event and ongoing symptoms. Sometimes insurance will cover cardiac rehab after PE (if your cardiac markers were elevated at the time and also if the right side of your heart was swollen). Maybe your doctor can look into that for you. You may also benefit from seeing a specialist to discuss CTEPH (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) in case that is relevant to you. All the best.

[@RobsonMiranda]

Important information for the public

[@Angiologist]

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@RobsonMiranda]

@@Angiologist you're Wellcome. I'm a vascular surgeon in Brazil and I used to follow you on tweeter (or "X") too!

[@Angiologist]

Cool! It is a small community after all!

[@user-ed9mf5yi2o]

i had a pulmonary embolism in 2013 and the pain felt like my ribs had broken i was struggling for breath it was horrible anyway I went to the hospital got my INR done and it doubled than a normal one I was given a heparin injection in my stomach daily for 4 days then I was on warfarin for 6 months then in 2018 got another pulmonary embolism but it was an old blood clot got treated for that now on blood thinners for life

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for sharing.

[@aliciajones1156]

Great info, I'm 37 and just found out that i had a dvt that that traveled from left leg causing pulmonary embolism in both lungs. I had shortness of breath during workouts and went to my pcp to get it checked and they found nothing, just low in calcium. So i started taking some vitamins and it got better, but just recently came back last week...Very scary, I was going to go work out and ended up passing out before the class started. Went to an emergency center where they discovered the pulmonary embolism and transferred to the hospital. Luckily, no surgery and now on blood thinners. They told me to take off 3-4 weeks from hiit workouts and just do light walking. But I teach group fitness classes and worried if I'll be able to go back and teach like normal.😢😢

[@Angiologist]

Sorry to hear about what happened to you. Regarding going back to teaching group fitness - Most people post PE do get back to their baseline activity. But I would recommend doing so with the guidance of your doctor. All the best!

[@aliciajones1156]

@@Angiologist thank you, I'm starting back, but I just started feeling some lightheaded dizziness this past week. So I'll consult with my doctor before going back fully.

[@kanozajackson6629]

I'm under 18, and got pulmonary embolism, but there was absolutely no cause shown in tests, i had multiple viens blocked, and was reaching my end when we found out. It's almost been a year, but once I try to do exercises I feel like I will pass out. But I play basketball, i can for a while, then I'll be tired because of no stamina or strength. So I'm desperate for exercises to do..

[@Angiologist]

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I would definitely recommend that you see an expert in pulmonary embolism to assess your ability to exercise given the severity of the symptoms you are reporting. All the best!

[@kevmar2567]

50 years old, on my 18th day now... started in right lung, took Amoxicillin, which reduced fever and horrendous body/muscles aches. Many sleepless nights. As soon as right got better, left got infected. Indescribable pain, zero chance to lay down... 1 day in hospital, gave me Xarelto blood thinner. Still have strong lingering body pains (although not as bad as the max), for sure shortness of breath, changed shirt 3 times during (sweaty) sleep last night - and I was in EXCELLENT condition when this started.

[@Angiologist]

Sorry to hear about your condition. Sounds like you are having a very hard time. I hope you get well soon!

[@SLShreve]

Oh man! This sounds rough! I understand those sleepless nights! Sadly I still have them 18 months post SPE! I couldn’t lay down for months- I propped up all the pillows and slept sitting! Wish I had an adjustable base! Do you have one? You should definitely get one!

[@OzScalemodeling]

I had a Pulmonary Embolism 4 days ago, was out of hospital the next day, I had no symptoms previously, and now 2 days later I feel 100% well. I been put on blood thinners for 6 mths but feel like I don't need them. I didn't exercise before but will in future as I think my lack of exercise was a major part of the cause of the PE.

[@Angiologist]

I am sorry to hear about your clots, and I am happy to hear you are doing okay. Please do not stop the blood thinner without consulting your doctor. Good luck with your plans for exercise!

[@OzScalemodeling]

@@Angiologist I will and thank you ;)

[@OzScalemodeling]

Yes I will consult my doctor and thank you.@@Angiologist

[@Angiologist]

Thank you and all the best!

[@CRobertson86]

Exactly same as me. Did it clear after 6 months? Because they said if mines doesn't clear I'll be on thinners for life

[@jamesblackwood2589]

Thanks for the info, I found it very useful. I'm 37 and was running at least 20-30 miles a week training for a marathon. I suffered an unprovoked bi-lateral pulmonary embolism in my lungs. The right hand clot caused severe infarction in my right lung which left me really short of breath. This was a month ago and I'm itching to get back out running again, but still short on breath sometimes. I'm also on Xarleto 20mg a day for the next 4-5 months. I want to start exercising again but worried that I will push myself too far. Spending too much time on the couch and it is affecting my mental health and I'm starting to feel out of shape. Need to ease myself back in but worried about doing too much. Would you say doing strength exercise rather than cardio would be a good place to start?

[@Angiologist]

Thanks for sharing. Hard to comment on a specific case. In general, strength exercises may theoretically raise the right heart pressure so we sometimes advise to avoid them on theoretical grounds. But no data. Light exercises are usually okay as long as a person feels that they can tolerate them.

[@NVIK5]

I am in a similar boat, used to run a lot, now get destroyed even after a slow pace. I suggest going for walks, that is the safest option.

[@beautifullife4662]

Can you give breath work exercises that may help. This April will be 2 years after my PE and I get winded just going up and down stairs. Also I just started back salsa dancing and with 5 minute songs and am nearly about to die not even dancing at my full capacity (before Covid 2020.)

[@Angiologist]

I am very sorry to hear about your symptoms. A small number of people after a pulmonary embolism will experience the "post PE syndrome" and some will even develop "chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension - CTEPH". If you symptoms are so severe 2 years out, please do not ignore them. Please see a pulmonary specialist to evaluate your symptoms. All the best!

[@Essexman0023]

Thanks for this. Great info.

[@Angiologist]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@royolsen3678]

I have been doing weight training and powerlifting for more than sixty years while competing at Judo and powerlifting and still do. Hower I have Liver and bowel cancer and recently have been diagnosed to have two blood clots in my lungs. I am eighty three years old and weigh 94 kilos. On the 15th of October I competed in a powerlifting comp and qualified for the next British Championships next year. On the 16th of October after a CT scan for my Cancers it was discovered I have two bloot clots in my lungs. I had not chest pains or trouble breathing and still dont. I can walk for thirty minutes or more without problems and also weight train for an hour or more. Can I still train with weights without pushing myself and is there a way of keeping my risk of killing myself pretty low or is it just the luck of the draw. My cancers are not curable and I am on Chemo therapy every two weeks. I am also on blood thinners. My aim is to keep my life as normal as possible and try to live my life as best I can without wrapping myself in cotton wool while sitting in front of the TV. If I continue to train with weights and walk two or three times a week with weights and some walking every day what Are my chances of still walking this planet in the next year or so. GOOD, FAIR OR NOT MUCH will do.

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for sharing. You sound like an amazing athlete! While I cannot talk about specific cases, I’ll try to offer general guidance. The theoretical problem with weight lifting in the context of lung blood clots is that they can elevate the pressure on the right side of the heart. If these pressures are elevated already from the clots the more elevation can be hazardous. So knowing if the pressure is elevated with a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) can help your doctors guide you. I hope this makes sense and I wish you all the best!

[@royolsen3678]

Thanks for that, however after doing some more research its obvious that many things even in everyday life can cause me problems with my Blood Clots. I still train with weights and have no shortage of breath, pain or dizzyness. So, as I dont want my condition to define who and what I am I will do what I can to get back on track through exercise and diet. Thank you for your imput. @@Angiologist

[@Angiologist]

Of course. Anytime. All the best!

[@nevan2201]

My mom just had PE but she got treatment pretty early on. Didnt have shortness of breath, no heart problems. Only had heart pain. But for some reason she was assigned to take xarelto once a day for the rest of her life. As i read, many people here who even had severe cases with cardiac arrest and stuff only had to take the medication for half a year or so. Why does my mom have to take it for the rest of her life???

[@Angiologist]

Treatment duration depends on the chance of recurrence. In other words, if your mother's doctors believe that off blood thinners she has a high likelihood of another clot, they may recommend long-term treatment, even after she feels better.

[@joannesaltfleet2071]

When I got discharged from hospital after my PE back in 2017 one question i asked the nurse was when would it be safe to come back to exercise and she said gentle walking was fine but to stop if i got puffed out or didnt feel very well.

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for sharing. Of course, each case is different. In practice, most people can return to activity with appropriate rehabilitation.

[@jkp2712]

41, M who had a saddle PE. They gave me a lpa to break it up. I did have right heart weakness identified through contrast on ultrasound. The main artery I guess measured 34mm I believe. I do maintenance work. I have a hard time sitting so I have been doing as much as I can. Went back to work already but should I consider a career change? What about working out? I cannot run due to other injuries but biking and swimming were my bread and butter.

[@Angiologist]

Sorry to hear about your event. Unfortunately, we cannot comment about your specific circumstances. I would make sure you saw someone who is an expert in this. You’ll need some testing to assess your possibilities. All the best!

[@kristendowney2235]

Thanks for your video. If I exercise and am still having trouble catching my breath after is that exercise too much, or is it part of progressing?

[@Angiologist]

That is a hard question to answer without seeing you and your imaging studies. I would recommend consulting a local specialist.

[@dakotabauder7422]

Im a 26 yr old female. I had a PE 3 weeks ago. im relatively healthy, excercise regularly. non smoker, I dont fit any of the risks, besides having covid in early October. Im wishing for more guidance through this as all I've been told is to take my blood thinning medication and wait for my hematology appointment. Any advice would be helpful... I am in the dark.

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for sharing. So sorry about what happened. Unfortunately, we cannot comment about specific cases. Depending on where you are located you should see a hematologist or a vascular medicine doctor. I wish you all the best…

[@Cekatu]

OP your experience mirrors mine. I shouldn't have been a candidate for PE. The doctors are crap at communicating relevant information. It's just go home and take these meds.

[@Mike-hu8yz]

​@@CekatuDon't criticise the doctors until after you've asked them the questions and not got relative answers.

[@johnnyboy1586]

I wonder if this is related to the covid vaccines

[@Angiologist]

What is?

[@johnnyboy1586]

Blood clot on the lung​@@Angiologist

[@Angiologist]

If you are asking if some of the COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with excess clotting, the answer is yes. But the absolute risk is very (very) low.

[@EmilyReed-d2g]

I just had a PE, and I've never had the vaccine, I also don't fit any of the risk factors except I'm pregnant with twins, but this is my 5th pregnancy, and it's never happened before. So they have no idea what could have caused it except maybe the covid virus itself.

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for sharing.

[@sophieandwayne]

My son has pneumonia and a blood clot in each lung. He is in the army and is on strict rest at the moment but in the long run has to maintain the army’s pt is this achievable or will he never regain his full fitness?

[@Angiologist]

I am sorry to hear about your son’s condition. I hope he gets better quickly. Most people after PE and even with pneumonia get better with proper rehabilitation. Obviously, I cannot make any specific promises about his condition. All the best!

[@fredbih8515]

I literally just had a blood clot in each lung after pneumonia a week ago im 25 years old

[@Angiologist]

I am sorry to hear. I wish you all the best.

[@philipkennedy9576]

I am 74. Have heart decease by pass 24 yrs ago, got blood clot in each lung in feb 2024 , used to go to the gym but have not made it back , how long for clots to dissolve?? I am on blood thinners , I only can walk 150 mts then Out of breath , will I improve ?

[@swapnilsheth1855]

My son aged 21 developed massive bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism treated by thrombolytic injection successfully and within a week his dilated RA and RV became normal,his pulmonary hypertension also became normal,he can walk around without any problem,so when he can start his exercise and sport?

[@Angiologist]

While I cannot comment about his case specifically, if a person after PE is feeling fine with normal activity and if imaging (CT/echocardiogram) are normal, then they can exercise.

[@rajeevsachdeva-qk1ji]

Hello.. I am 60 and had PE last month.. With right side heart involved, .. Treated with Actilyse and now on Pradaxa... Psychologically.. I still fear it and feel shortness of breath while lying down on left side... Pls suggest some exercise and how to come over this fear

[@Angiologist]

I am very sad to hear about your event. We are only now starting to realize the psychological effects of a PE. Dr. Leben Tefera at CCF is a leading researcher on the topic. As for your specific question - unfortunately, we cannot offer specific recommendations. But given ongoing symptoms definitely see a PE doctor and consider rehabilitation as appropriate.

[@marshajones8958]

I just found out that I have two bilateral emboli, and my right lower lobe has dead tissue as you would say an infarction that is described as moderate in size. I need answers for this.

[@Angiologist]

I am sorry to hear about your clots. I hope you are doing okay. I am not sure what your question is, though.

[@marshajones8958]

I am trying to find out why I am getting them. Just enjoyed your video. Thank you

[@Angiologist]

Unfortunately, I cannot help evaluate why you had the clots. There are many possible reasons. Unless your primary care doctor can help you, I recommend seeing a vascular medicine specialist or a hematologist who has expertise in clotting to try to figure this out. All the best!

[@katyantis]

Can I use my sauna? I’ve got Dr three times and no answer to that question.

[@Angiologist]

Thank you for your question. I cannot offer a direct answer, unfortunately. Please note that a sauna can cause stress on the circulation. So it really depends on the details of your case.

[@PositiveVibes360]

my brother is already on dialysis. now he has pulmonary embolism , no stamina and shortness of breath. kindly prescribe some exercise

[@Angiologist]

I am sorry to hear about your brother's situation. Unfortunately, I cannot offer specific recommendations. He will need to discuss with his doctor.

[@PositiveVibes360]

@@Angiologist doctors don't cooperate

[@gabigab1066]

Hello since September, I had a TVP on my left leg, 2 clots were found, I'm on Xarleto 20mg a day, my leg doesn't hurt, I'm walking normally, but I'm asking you, are we getting better from this disease? thank you

[@gabigab1066]

and I wear compression stockings and use aleegel

[@Angiologist]

Compression stocking are great for controlling swelling and aches. I hope they are helping you.

[@Angiologist]

Sorry to hear you had a clot. I hope treatment is going well. While I don’t know about your case, most people get better and even return to normal.

[@gabigab1066]

@@Angiologist thank you

[@gabigab1066]

@@Angiologist thank you

[@sandipambre6852]

Plz send video in Hindi

[@Angiologist]

We hope to expand to Hindi soon.