Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services now for:
Sudden or severe difficulty breathing
Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, or feeling faint
Coughing up blood with chest pain or breathlessness
Fainting, collapse, confusion, or blue-grey lips or skin
Symptoms of PE when you have, or recently had, one-sided leg swelling or pain
If you take an anticoagulant, seek emergency help for vomiting or coughing blood, black or bloody stools, severe uncontrolled bleeding, a sudden severe headache, new weakness or confusion, or a significant head injury.
Contact your healthcare team promptly, but not usually through emergency services, if recovery has stopped improving, breathlessness is gradually worsening, one leg becomes swollen or painful, or bruising and minor bleeding are becoming difficult to manage.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine follow-up is appropriate for questions about treatment duration, return to work or exercise, travel plans, and medicine monitoring.
The article also says
Do not drive yourself if you may have a PE.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pulmonary embolism. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.