Secondary pulmonary hypertension: 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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for:
Severe difficulty breathing, especially at rest
Fainting or being difficult to wake
New or severe chest pain
Blue or grey lips, confusion or severe weakness
Coughing up more than a small streak of blood
Signs of a possible lung clot, such as sudden breathlessness with chest pain
Do not drive yourself for emergency assessment.
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
Arrange a routine or prompt medical review if you develop new breathlessness, reduced exercise ability, increasing ankle swelling or unexplained tiredness.
If you already have pulmonary hypertension, report a steady increase in symptoms, rapid weight gain from fluid or a growing need to rest.
Seek urgent medical advice if breathlessness becomes much worse than usual, swelling increases quickly, or you have a new fast or irregular heartbeat.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Secondary pulmonary hypertension. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.