BACKGROUND: Long-term consequences after a pulmonary embolism include lung function deficits, dyspnea, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Recent studies suggest patients who experience pulmonary embolism may also be at increased risk of asthma. METHODS: We tested the hypothesis that individuals with pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis (venous thromboembolism) have lower lung function, or higher risks of dyspnea and asthma using data from 21,205 random adults from the Danish General Suburban Population Study. RESULTS: Prevalences of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and venous thromboembolism were 0.60%, 1.7%, and 1.9% respectively. Individuals with pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis had FEV CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with venous thromboembolism have lower lung function, 2.6 fold higher risk of severe dyspnea, and 1.6 fold higher risk of asthma in the Danish population.