• Chest pain
  • Under the breastbone or on one side
  • Especially sharp or stabbing; also may be a burning, aching, or dull, heavy sensation
  • May get worse with deep breathing, coughing, eating, bending, or stooping (person may bend over or hold his or her chest in response to the pain)
• Cough
  • Begins suddenly
  • May cough up blood or blood-streaked sputum
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
  • May occur at rest or during activity
  • Starts suddenly

Other symptoms that may occur:

• Anxiety
• Bluish skin discoloration
• Clammy skin
• Dizziness
• Leg pain in one or both legs
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Low blood pressure
• Lump associated with a vein near the surface of the body, may be painful
• Nasal flaring
• Pelvis pain
• Sweating
• Swelling in the legs
• Weak or absent pulse
• Wheezing

The following lab tests may be done to see how well your lungs are working:

• Arterial blood gases
• Pulse oximetry

The following imaging tests can help determine where the blood clot is located:

• Chest x-ray
• CT angiogram of the chest
• Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan
• Pulmonary angiogram

Other tests that may be done include:

• Chest CT scan
• Chest MRI scan
• D-dimer level
• Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Plethysmography of the legs
• Venography of the legs