Is it possible for air bubbles to pass from your lungs to your veins? and if so what harm can they cause?

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nursie	its absolutely impossible Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

curmudgeon	no. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

ChrysaMarie	There's no way for air to pass into you bloodstream from your lungs. If air bubbles did make it into your bloodstream, they will either be dissipated by the natural flow of the blood or they will enter the heart and cause a heart attack. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

ConcernedCitizen	There are two ways for that to occur, but both would be the result of significant pressure changes, as when SCUBA diving. One is that a rapid drop in pressure due to a rapid ascent could cause the nitrogen dissolved in the blood to form bubbles. This is what causes decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends". The other is that a rupture could occur in the lungs, allowing air bubbles to escape into the bloodstream. This is known as an air embolism and can be fatal. It's the reason why divers are warned to never hold their breath, especially during ascent. [edit] Wow, some people must not like educated answers, because I don't know why else someone would give me a thumbs down. I've been a PADI certified SCUBA diver for eight years and all divers are taught about the dangers of air bubbles in the blood. Read a book or do a little online research before you call an answer bad. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

jenbug1015	I agree with "concerened" .... air bubbles can pass into your veins, they are called air emboli... and if they make it to your lungs, that could be life threatening. why do you think they always make sure the air bubbles are out of the IV lines before they hook them up to patients. the other emboli are fat emboli and pulmonary emboli ( blood clots). Veins like only blood running thru them.... not plaque, not cholesterol, not clots, not air, not fat... its just that simple! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

betterthanzero	Your lungs are specifically designed to not do that, but maybe injury or illness could cause it to happen. If it did, you might get "the bends" or suffer a heart attack or stroke when those bubbles reach your heart or brain. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Prof. Dud	Actually air bubbles are not required 4 our body. There is no mechanism 4 air bubbles to pass through our lungs into our vein. What we require is oxygen which passes from lungs into our vein and dissolve into blood. That is good 4 our well being. Likewise if CO2 or CO passess through our lungs to veins is very dangerous. We may die. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No