Expelling sputum that contains blood, also called hemoptysis. While coughing up blood may be alarming, it is not always serious. Flecks of blood in the sputum may indicate acute or chronic bronchitis. However, when large amounts of blood are coughed up, or blood-flecked sputum persists, a prompt medical evaluation is necessary to exclude a serious underlying condition. These conditions include tumors of the respiratory tract, particularly lung tumors; blockage of a blood vessel in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism; heart failure, lung infections, and bronchiectasis.
Coughing up blood, also known as hemoptysis, occurs when a blood vessel in the airway, lung, nose, or throat ruptures, leading to this symptom.
Coughed-up blood can present in various forms, such as bright-red or rusty-brown streaks, clots within the sputum, a pinkish froth, or, in rare instances, blood on its own. Regardless of the appearance, it is essential to seek medical evaluation in all cases.
Haemoptysis can be caused by a range of disorders, with the most common being infections like pneumonia or bronchitis. Additionally, congestion and subsequent rupture of blood vessels in the lungs can occur due to conditions such as heart failure, mitral stenosis, or pulmonary embolism. In some cases, a cancerous tumor can erode the wall of a blood vessel, leading to haemoptysis.
When investigating cases of coughing up blood, diagnostic procedures such as a chest X-ray and, in certain situations, bronchoscopy may be conducted. It is worth noting that in approximately one-third of cases, no underlying cause is identified. The appropriate treatment is contingent upon determining the specific cause of the condition.