Red flags Certain findings raise suspicion of a more serious etiology of edema: Sudden onset Significant pain Shortness of breath Fever History of a heart disorder or an abnormal cardiac examination Hemoptysis, dyspnea, or pleural friction rub Hepatomegaly, jaundice, ascites, splenomegaly, or hematemesis Unilateral leg swelling with tenderness Interpretation of findings Potential acute life threats, which typically manifest with sudden onset of focal edema, must be identified.