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 your local emergency number if you have:
Severe or sudden breathlessness, especially at rest
Chest pain, pressure, or tightness that persists
Fainting, collapse, or inability to wake normally
Blue or grey lips, severe confusion, or extreme drowsiness
A very fast or irregular heartbeat with chest pain, faintness, or breathlessness
Coughing up pink, frothy fluid
These may indicate fluid in the lungs, a heart attack, a dangerous rhythm, or another 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 heart failure team or usual healthcare service promptly if breathlessness or swelling is getting worse, you need more pillows to sleep, your weight rises rapidly, or normal activities become noticeably harder.
Also seek advice for ongoing dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, poor fluid intake, or problems taking your medicines.
And for anyone, someone who:
is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine appointments remain important even when you feel well.
They allow medicines, kidney function, blood pressure, symptoms, and device function to be checked.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Heart failure. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.