Serena Williams pulmonary embolism

Tennis star Serena Williams is recovering from a pulmonary embolism and a hematoma resulting from her treatment, according to media reports.

What is a pulmonary embolism? How can something so scary happen to a world-class athlete? Do people fully recover from a pulmonary embolism?

Williams' rep released a statement explaining, "Monday Serena Williams underwent emergency treatment at Cedars for a hematoma she suffered as a result of treatment for a more critical situation."

The statement continues, "Last week, Serena suffered from a pulmonary embolism [a blood clot in the lungs] which was discovered upon her return to L.A.  She had been in New York for doctor appointments for the ongoing issues with her foot."

The rep added, "Doctors are continuing to monitor her situation closely to avoid additional complications." 

Well, the truth is, deep vein thrombosis can happen to anyone. And since Williams had just undergone surgery, her risk was increased.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) leading to a pulmonary embolism can occur at any age. Of course there are risk factors like clotting disorders, taking birth control pills, prolonged immobility, smoking, family history and being overweight.

Surgery is actually one of the leading causes of problem blood clots because it is possible for tissue debris to enter the bloodstream and form a clot. Since Williams had surgery on her foot, it’s fair to assume that she was ordered by her doctors to stay off it and remain immobile. Add to that, she was flying back and forth on a plane, and her risk just increased even more.

Sometimes, having an extremity in a cast can aid in the formation of blood clots in the legs that can travel to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism, where one or more of the arteries in the lungs becomes blocked.

This can be very dangerous because it can stops oxygenation of the blood and left untreated, can cause death. But with emergency attention, and treatment with anti-clotting medication, the outcomes are often good.

Symptoms may start with tenderness in the calf if the clot originates in the leg, but by the time it travels to the lungs and becomes a pulmonary embolism, a patient may experience shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations and wheezing.

I’m glad Williams’ doctors are monitoring her condition, and I wish her a speedy recovery.