Heart bypass surgery - minimally invasive: when to get help
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
These concerns usually require prompt assessment but are not always emergencies.
Call emergency services for:
New or severe chest pressure that does not settle
Severe difficulty breathing
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or trouble speaking
Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
A sudden collapse or inability to wake normally
Do not drive yourself during a possible heart or stroke emergency.
And for anyone, someone who:
has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your surgical team promptly for worsening incision pain, increasing redness or drainage, a fever, new swelling, persistent vomiting, increasing breathlessness, or a heartbeat that is repeatedly fast or irregular.
Also call if your pain medicine is not working or recovery is moving backward rather than forward.
And for anyone, someone who:
is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Heart bypass surgery - minimally invasive. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.