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Warning-sign checks

Arrhythmias: 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

    Emergency symptoms remain different from routine follow-up concerns.

    Seek immediate help for fainting, severe shortness of breath, persistent chest pain or pressure, stroke symptoms, or collapse with abnormal breathing.

    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 clinician promptly if episodes become more frequent or prolonged, symptoms change, or a medicine appears to cause side effects.

    People taking an anticoagulant should report unusual bleeding and follow instructions for procedures, injuries, and missed doses.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up depends on the diagnosis and treatment.

    Routine visits may be used to review symptoms, check heart rate and blood pressure, assess medicine side effects, and repeat rhythm monitoring.

    People with a pacemaker or ICD need scheduled device checks.

The article also says

Keep a current list of medicines and supplements.

A symptom log can record the time of an episode, its duration, activity at the time, and associated dizziness, chest discomfort, or breathing difficulty.

Bring recordings from a wearable device if available.

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