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 for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips or skin, collapse, unresponsiveness, or sudden severe weakness.
These symptoms can have several causes and should not be assumed to be from PDA.
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact the cardiology or procedure team promptly if there is increasing pain, redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge at a catheter or surgical site.
A new fever after a recent heart procedure also needs medical advice.
Seek urgent medical assessment if breathing is becoming difficult, feeding has dropped sharply, urine output is much lower than usual, or a baby is unusually sleepy and hard to wake.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical review if a baby or child:
Tires, sweats or breathes quickly during feeds
Is feeding poorly or not gaining weight as expected
Has ongoing fast breathing without obvious distress
Becomes unusually tired during normal activity
Misses planned heart follow-up
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Patent ductus arteriosus. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.