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Warning-sign checks

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy: 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

    Seek emergency care for sudden weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, severe new headache, major vision loss, a first seizure, repeated seizures, loss of consciousness, or rapidly increasing confusion.

    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 a clinician promptly for new brief episodes of tingling, weakness, altered vision, speech difficulty, unusual headaches, seizures, or a meaningful decline in thinking or walking.

    Even if symptoms resolve, they may need timely assessment.

    These may indicate a stroke or another urgent brain condition.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up may involve primary care and a neurologist with experience in stroke or cognitive disorders.

    Visits often include blood pressure review, medication reconciliation, questions about new neurologic episodes, and assessment of memory, walking, mood, and daily function.

The article also says

Repeat brain imaging is not required on the same schedule for everyone.

It may be considered after new symptoms, to monitor CAA-related inflammation, or when imaging results could affect a treatment decision.

This includes decisions about anticoagulants or anti-amyloid treatment.

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