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Warning-sign checks

Myocarditis: 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. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for:

    • New or severe chest pain, pressure, or tightness
    • Severe difficulty breathing or breathlessness at rest
    • Fainting, collapse, confusion, or difficulty staying awake
    • A rapid or irregular heartbeat with chest pain, weakness, or light-headedness
    • Blue or grey lips, or cold and clammy skin

    These symptoms can occur with myocarditis, a heart attack, a dangerous rhythm, or another serious condition.

    Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or severely unwell.

    These changes need review but are not always an emergency.

    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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice if you have ongoing chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness, repeated palpitations, or a marked loss of exercise capacity, particularly during or after an infection.

The article also says

If you have already been diagnosed, contact your care team about increasing ankle swelling, rapid weight gain over several days, worsening fatigue, new palpitations, or breathlessness that is becoming more noticeable.

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