**1.4.1 Physical signs of PE**

In the presence of typical physical signs (dyspnoea, chest pain, syncope, tachypnea, tachycardia, cough, hemoptysis, signs of DVT, cyanosis, etc.) the diagnosis of PE is 90% reliable, although the severity of symptoms do not correlate with the actual illness. About 10% of high-risk cases are recognised by radiology imaging and considered to be non-high risk according to physical symptoms.

Physical signs and symptoms: severe stabbing chest pain (52%), tachycardia (26%), cough (20%), cyanosis (15%) or paleness, increased perspiration, fever (38.5%), dyspnoea (with acute onset 80%), tachpnea (70%), hemoptysis (11%), mortal fear, syncope (19%), low blood pressure, haemodynamic failure with large vessel obstruction, arrhythmia (atrial or ventricular extrasystole, acute atrial fibrillation, flutter, etc.) (Miniati, Prediletto, Formichi, Marini, Di Ricco, Tonelli, Allescia & Pistolesi, 1999a; Stein & Henry, 1997).
