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Most patients with a first pulmonary embolism will improve within three to six months and can stop taking anticoagulation medications after discussion with their physicians. As mentioned, certain risk factors and recurrent blood clots can necessitate the longer use of anticoagulation medications to possibly lifelong use. If a patient, however, continues to have shortness of breath after being on anticoagulation for more than three or six months, it’s important to obtain an echocardiogram to rule out a chronic condition called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which can occur in about 3% of patients with a pulmonary embolism.