Getting on With Life After Pulmonary Embolism

When you are living with pulmonary embolism, you can make life easier by remembering the following:

• Always tell your healthcare professional that you are taking an anticoagulant
   
• Seek urgent medical attention if you are involved in an accident
   
• Seek medical attention if you experience a significant knock or injury to your head
   
• Seek medical attention if you cannot stop any bleeding even if your injury is not significant

Your doctor will give special consideration to the choice of anticoagulant treatment if you:1

• Are pregnant
   
• Have cancer

In some circumstances, your doctor may want to review your anticoagulant medication, change your anticoagulant, or temporarily stop your anticoagulant. Talk to your doctor if:1

• You are having any type of surgery, including dental work, and inform your healthcare professional that you are taking an anticoagulant
   
• You are planning to become pregnant or if you are currently pregnant, discuss your anticoagulant treatment with your doctor. Some anticoagulants may be unsuitable for you and your baby, so your doctor will discuss an alternative anticoagulant with you
   
• You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Some anticoagulants may be unsuitable for you and your baby so your doctor will discuss an alternative anticoagulant with you
   
• You are thinking about playing contact sports such as rugby. Your doctor will discuss whether these sports will increase your risk of excessive bleeding
   
• You start taking any other medications or herbal medicines. These may alter the effectiveness of your anticoagulant, making you more likely to bleed or more likely to experience blood clots