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Warning-sign checks

Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders: 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 immediately for any sudden sign of stroke, including:

    • New weakness or numbness
    • Double vision or sudden visual loss
    • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
    • Severe imbalance, inability to walk, or loss of coordination
    • Vertigo together with other neurological symptoms
    • Trouble swallowing, reduced alertness, or collapse

    Call even if the symptoms improve, because a TIA also needs emergency assessment.

    New head or neck pain after an injury, followed by dizziness, double vision, weakness, numbness, or speech difficulty, also requires emergency help.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    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 you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up for stable recovery concerns, medication side effects, ongoing fatigue, or help managing blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, mood, or rehabilitation.

    New or suddenly worsening neurological symptoms are not routine follow-up issues.

The article also says

Do not drive yourself.

Note when the person was last known to be well.

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