Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions related to an embolism:

1. Am I at increased risk for heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism?
   
   
2. If I've been diagnosed with existing blood clots, am I at risk for an embolism?
   
   
3. Why do you think I have an embolism?
   
   
4. What tests are you going to perform to diagnose the nature of my embolism?
   
   
5. How will you treat my embolism? Will I have to have surgery?
   
   
6. After you treat this embolism, will I be at an increased risk for another one?
   
   
7. What steps can I take to reduce my risk of an embolism?
   
   
8. Will anticoagulants interfere with my other medications?
   
   
9. Could this embolism be caused by a more serious health condition?
   
   
10. How soon will I be able to exercise or go back to work following treatment?