Which of the following is a risk factor for pulmonary embolism?

• A. Pregnancy
• B. Asthma
• C. Hypertension
• D. Diabetes

Answer: (A)

Pulmonary embolism risk grows when there are factors that promote blood clotting or slow blood flow. Pregnancy does both: it creates a hypercoagulable state to protect against postpartum bleeding, with increased clotting factors and reduced natural anticoagulant activity, and the enlarging uterus compresses leg and pelvic veins, causing venous stasis. Together, these changes elevate the chance that a deep venous thrombosis forms and travels to the lungs.

Asthma, hypertension, and diabetes are not primary risk factors for pulmonary embolism. Asthma is a respiratory condition, while hypertension and diabetes affect blood vessels and metabolism but don’t by themselves substantially raise the likelihood of clot formation leading to PE.