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 emergency services immediately for symptoms that could be a stroke or brain bleed, including:
Sudden weakness, numbness, or facial drooping
Sudden trouble speaking, understanding, seeing, or walking
A sudden severe or unusual headache
A first seizure, repeated seizures, or failure to recover normally
Collapse, marked confusion, or loss of consciousness
Repeated vomiting with a sudden headache or neurological symptoms
Emergency brain imaging is needed because symptoms alone cannot show whether a stroke is caused by bleeding or a blocked artery.
These symptoms are not always an emergency, but they should not be ignored.
A sudden change remains an emergency even if you already have a follow-up appointment booked.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
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
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine medical follow-up for gradually developing changes in memory, mood, balance, speech, swallowing, or daily function.
Non-urgent appointments are also appropriate before starting or stopping medicines that affect clotting, when planning pregnancy, or when considering genetic testing.
The article also says
Do not drive yourself to hospital.
Note when the symptoms started if you can.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Icelandic type amyloidosis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.