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Warning-sign checks

Giant cell arteritis: 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 care now if you have:

    • Sudden loss or dimming of vision, even if it improves
    • New double vision with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis
    • Stroke signs, such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty
    • Sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain, especially with faintness
    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

    If you are over 50, seek urgent same-day medical assessment for a new, persistent headache with scalp tenderness or jaw pain while chewing.

    Do not wait for a routine appointment if visual symptoms are present.

    If you are being treated for giant cell arteritis, report returning headache, jaw pain, scalp tenderness, visual symptoms, fever, or limb pain promptly.

    These may indicate a relapse, although they can also have other causes.

    Contact your healthcare team sooner if side effects are severe, worsening, or accompanied by signs of infection.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is the place to discuss gradual weight change, sleep problems, bruising, bone health, blood pressure, or other possible treatment effects.

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