24-Year-Old's Shocking Diagnosis: Pulmonary Embolism Leaves Him Gasping for Breath

In September 2025, 24-year-old Sammy Ouatts of Brooklyn, New York, began experiencing concerning symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Ouatts initially blamed these issues on his hectic work schedule and the demands of attending New York Fashion Week events.

Over the next few weeks, Ouatts' condition worsened, with sharp pains in his ribcage and difficulty breathing, even when performing simple tasks like climbing stairs. Thinking it was just work-related stress, Ouatts tried to manage the pain with over-the-counter medication and stretching, but the relief was only temporary.

On October 10th, Ouatts finally went to the emergency room "out of desperation." After undergoing tests and scans, he received a shocking diagnosis - he had two major blood clots in his lungs, a life-threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism. Doctors warned that if left untreated, Ouatts could have suffered a heart attack or even died.

Ouatts was immediately rushed into surgery for a suction thrombectomy to remove the blood clots. He remained hospitalized for a few days and was prescribed blood thinners to prevent further clots. Thankfully, Ouatts is now doing much better, though the mental toll of the sudden, severe diagnosis has left him "hyper focused" on his body's every sensation.

This experience has been a wake-up call for Ouatts, who is now committed to making healthier choices and taking better care of himself. He hopes that by sharing his story on TikTok, others will learn to take their own health more seriously and not dismiss worrying symptoms.