Mitral stenosis: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for:

   • Sudden severe difficulty breathing
   • Chest pain that is severe or does not settle
   • Blue or grey lips, confusion, or collapse
   • Stroke signs, such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty

   Do not drive yourself for emergency care.

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

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek urgent medical advice for a new fast or irregular heartbeat, breathlessness at rest, fainting, or coughing up blood.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine medical appointment if you develop ongoing breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance, repeated palpitations, or new ankle swelling.

   If you already have mitral stenosis, report symptoms that are new or becoming more frequent rather than waiting for the next planned review.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

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