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Warning-sign checks

Familial combined hyperlipidemia: 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 review but are not automatically emergencies.

    Seek emergency help for possible signs of a heart attack, including new chest pressure or pain, especially if it spreads to an arm, jaw, back, or shoulder or occurs with sweating, nausea, or breathlessness.

    Call emergency services for possible stroke symptoms, including sudden facial drooping, weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, loss of vision, severe imbalance, or a sudden unusual headache.

    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

    Severe, persistent upper abdominal pain, especially with vomiting or pain spreading to the back, also needs urgent assessment because it may be pancreatitis.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides, particularly if several relatives have similar results or a close relative had a heart attack or stroke at a young age.

    Also seek follow-up if you develop possible medicine side effects, have difficulty taking treatment regularly, or find that diabetes or another related condition is becoming harder to manage.

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