Cardiovascular & clot risk

Wells score for pulmonary embolism

Two-level clinical pretest probability of pulmonary embolism.

Intended population: Hemodynamically stable adults with suspected acute PE; general nonpregnant pathway.

A low score does not exclude a clot. Follow a validated diagnostic pathway and local testing guidance.
Do not delay emergency assessment for instability. This general adult version is not a pregnancy/postpartum pathway or a rule for patients already receiving therapeutic anticoagulation.

Stable adult with suspected PE; not pregnant/postpartum or already therapeutically anticoagulated

Heart rate (beats/min)

Clinical DVT signs: leg swelling and deep-vein tenderness

PE is more likely than an alternative diagnosis

Immobilization for more than 3 days, or surgery in the past 4 weeks

Previous DVT or PE

Hemoptysis

Cancer: current treatment, treatment within 6 months, or palliative

Sources and scoring references

NICE NG158: venous thromboembolic disease ↗

Implementation references reviewed October 28, 2026. Verify applicability and unusual or treatment-changing results against the linked references and local guidance.