Pittsboro woman raising awareness for pulmonary embolisms

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Lynn Campbell says she’s lucky to be alive after unknowingly suffering two pulmonary embolisms in a year.

A pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot is found in the lungs. Campbell wants people to know the symptoms so it won’t go untreated.

She says it happened at age 54 and she felt a little different, but nothing too major. She described her feeling hotter than normal and occasionally felt out of breath, but no pain.

Campbell says she thought she may have the flu and just pushed through, but the feeling came back months later. The Pittsboro resident eventually took herself to the hospital and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in both lungs.

Campbell says it occurred again a few months later and is now being closely watched by doctors at the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center. She is on medication for the rest of her life and hopes others won’t wait it out if something doesn’t feel quite right.

“Know the signs. I’ve met young women, men, young men that are 17 years old up to 77 years old,“ Campbell said.

Campbell says after several tests, doctors told her the blood clots were unexplained, what the medical community calls unprovoked.

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood, according to MedlinePlus.

A pulmonary embolism can be prevented by continuing to take blood thinners, regular checkups with your primary doctor, heart-healthy lifestyle changes, wearing compression stockings and moving your legs often when sitting long periods of time.