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Warning-sign checks

Endocardial cushion defect: 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 trouble breathing
    • Blue or gray lips, tongue, or skin that does not quickly improve
    • Collapse, fainting, or difficulty waking
    • New severe chest pain
    • A very fast or irregular heartbeat with faintness or breathing difficulty
    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 heart team promptly if a baby is feeding much less than usual, sweating heavily during feeds, breathing faster over several hours, producing fewer wet diapers, or becoming unusually sleepy.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange medical review for gradual changes such as reduced stamina, slower weight gain, new swelling, increasing breathlessness with activity, or frequent racing or irregular heartbeats.

The article also says

Color changes may be harder to see on darker skin.

Check the lips, tongue, gums, palms, and soles, and pay attention to breathing and alertness.

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