Other conditions with symptoms similar to pulmonary embolism
Many other conditions may cause symptoms similar to pulmonary embolism.
Heart conditions often confused with pulmonary embolism
- Heart attack
- Heart failure or pulmonary edema
- Irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia)
- Pericarditis or pericardial effusion
Lung conditions often confused with pulmonary embolism
- Pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Pleurisy or pleural effusions
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- A collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
Other conditions often confused with pulmonary embolism
- Dissecting aortic aneurysm
- Hyperventilation
- Panic attacks
Pulmonary embolism may also be considered whenever shortness of breath (dyspnea) or fainting (syncope) occurs without an obvious cause.1
| 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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