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 if a baby, child, or adult has:
Severe difficulty breathing
Blue or gray lips, tongue, or skin that is new or worsening
Collapse, fainting, or difficulty waking
Sudden severe weakness or loss of responsiveness
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
For a baby with known or suspected truncus arteriosus, seek prompt medical assessment for worsening rapid breathing, repeated feeding difficulty, heavy sweating with feeds, fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness, or poor weight gain.
After repair, contact the heart team promptly about a clear drop in exercise ability, new fainting, persistent racing or irregular heartbeats, increasing swelling, or worsening shortness of breath.
These visits are different from urgent care: they monitor slow changes in valves, conduits, heart function, and the aorta.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine congenital heart appointments are needed even when the person feels well.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Truncus arteriosus. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.