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Warning-sign checks

Aortic dissection: 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

    These concerns need timely advice but are not always emergencies.

    Call emergency services for sudden severe pain, fainting, severe breathlessness, stroke-like symptoms, or a suddenly cold, painful, weak limb.

    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

    Contact the treating team promptly for new or increasing chest, back, or abdominal discomfort, reduced exercise tolerance, medication problems, or consistently higher blood pressure readings.

    These symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Aortic dissection requires lifelong follow-up with a cardiovascular clinician.

    Care may involve a cardiologist, vascular surgeon, cardiac surgeon, genetics specialist, or a dedicated aortic disease center.

    Routine follow-up should review blood pressure, medicines, activity, symptoms, and imaging results.

    Patients can ask whether they should measure blood pressure at home and what range their care team recommends.

The article also says

CT or MRI scans are used to monitor the repaired and unrepaired parts of the aorta.

For people with residual aortic disease after an acute dissection, major US guidance recommends imaging after 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months, then annually if findings remain stable.

The schedule may differ based on the repair, imaging results, kidney function, and individual risk.

Genetic counseling or testing may be appropriate when dissection occurs at a younger age, runs in the family, or appears with features of an inherited condition.

First-degree relatives—parents, siblings, and children—may be advised to have aortic imaging even if genetic testing does not identify a cause.

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