Yaz Pulmonary Embolism: Risk Factors And Causes

By: John9 Davidson9 Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Yaz pulmonary embolism results from a dangerous sequence of events that begins with a single blood clot. Nearly 90% of diagnosed cases are the result of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition characterized by blood clots that form within a deep vein of the leg. Below, you'll learn how a clot within a deep vein can ultimately trigger Yaz PE, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Risk Factors Of Yaz Pulmonary Embolism

Yaz birth control pills are known as combined-hormone oral contraceptives because they blend estrogen with a progestin called drospirenone. This combination has been known to increase the risk of blood clots 6.3-fold when compared to non-use. Blood clots are not dangerous when they form within superficial veins near the surface of your skin. This is because they rarely detach themselves from the site. As such, they do not cause Yaz pulmonary embolism.

Deep vein thrombosis is entirely different. Deep veins are surrounded by muscles that contract whenever they move. Their contractions squeeze the deep veins, pushing blood toward the vena cava (the largest blood vessel in your body). Those contractions can also cause blood clots to break loose from their site and travel along with your bloodstream.

How A Blood Clot Reaches Your Pulmonary Arteries

A blood clot that is carried along by your bloodstream is called an embolus. As the embolus travels up the deep vein, it approaches the inferior vena cava. This is the main blood vessel that delivers oxygen-poor blood from the lower portion of your body to your heart.

The embolus can travel through the inferior vena cava and enter your heart's right atrium. From there, it continues traveling with the oxygen-poor blood through the tricuspid valve into your heart's right ventricle. The clot is then pumped out of the ventricle through the pulmonary valve into a pulmonary artery.

Your pulmonary arteries supply blood to your lungs. The blood is oxygenated before being returned to your heart. If the embolus blocks one of these arteries, it causes pulmonary embolism. As a result, the portion of your lung tissue that is fed by the blocked artery will begin to starve.

If the blockage is not treated, your lung tissue can become permanently damaged. It is estimated that nearly 30% of untreated cases of PE ultimately result in the death of the patient. Even if the embolus is not large enough to completely block a pulmonary artery, Yaz PE can still lead to serious complications.

Potential Complications Of Yaz PE

When one of your pulmonary arteries become partially blocked, your heart needs to work harder in order to pump blood. Not only does that reduce the efficiency of your heart, but it creates higher blood pressure within the blocked arteries. This is known as pulmonary hypertension. As your heart pumps harder to force blood through the constricted artery, pressure builds.

This is a losing battle for your heart. Ultimately, less blood is delivered to your lungs, which means less oxygen-rich blood is sent throughout the rest of your body. As a result, you'll tire more quickly and experience difficulty breathing.

Yaz pulmonary embolism can be fatal if a blood clot is large enough, and the blockage it creates is left untreated. However, it's important to realize that smaller clots can also be dangerous if they cause your heart to work harder than it should. If you have suffered blood clots, DVT, or pulmonary embolism after taking Yaz birth control, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer.