Heart transplant: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for severe difficulty breathing, fainting, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden severe chest pain, or signs of stroke such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or trouble speaking.

   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
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   After discharge, contact the transplant team promptly for fever or chills, new cough, vomiting or diarrhoea, worsening breathlessness, swelling, rapid weight gain, palpitations, reduced urine, or redness, drainage, or opening of the incision.

   Also call if you miss or cannot keep down an anti-rejection medicine.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Attend routine appointments even when you feel well.

   Use these visits to discuss medication effects, sleep, mood, rehabilitation, vaccination, work, travel, and sexual activity.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Heart transplant. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.