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Warning-sign checks

Ebstein anomaly: 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 medical help for:

    • Severe or sudden difficulty breathing
    • Fainting, especially during exercise or palpitations
    • A fast or irregular heartbeat that does not settle
    • New or rapidly worsening blue or grey lips or skin
    • Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, or faintness
    • Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, or 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 your congenital heart team promptly for faint feelings, more frequent palpitations, worsening breathlessness, or a noticeable change in skin or lip colour.

    A baby needs urgent assessment for blue or grey colouring, struggling to breathe, unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, or sweating and tiring during feeds.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange follow-up if you notice a gradual reduction in exercise ability, increasing tiredness, new ankle or abdominal swelling, or occasional palpitations.

    These symptoms do not always mean the condition is worsening, but they should be assessed.

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