Yes, the heart itself can cause clots. If you have a heart valve problem or atrial fibrillation blood doesn't eject from the heart properly and can pool and clot. It's much more common to have these problems in the left side of the heart, which usually lead to ischemic stroke rather than PEs. My great-aunt was recently diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and since she had a history of PEs is now a lifer on warfarin to reduce her stroke risk. I'm glad you're getting it checked out!

It can, a couple of different ways. The most common way is if someone has high cholesterol. The cholesterol in the arteries of the heart breaks off and throws a clot. The other way I remember from pathophysiology and CPR class had something to do with clots being formed if someone had an irregular beat. I don't remember exactly how that one worked though.

Honestly I don't much about this, but I think arterial clots related to heart disease can form in the chambers of the heart.

The other thing is that with PEs, the clots travel through the your heart to get to your lungs. Massive PEs can cause right ventricular enlargement, so your heart can be damaged from the PE. An echocardiogram will show that. But that usually corrects itself after a while. I had this. '

I would defer to your cardiologist on this and pin him down on what he's looking for and why. What kinds of tests does he want to do?

My cardiologist wants to do a heart MRI. The problem right now is getting it approved by insurance, which is not the easiest thing to do. I think the MRI will show a clearer picture of what is going on if anything. I have a hard time with the unknown. When I found out about the PE I was treated and could move forward. Now I have another unknown and it is troubling...Once I get some results, good or bad, I can move forward again :-)

It'll get sorted out. Hang in there!

Thank you!