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Warning-sign checks

High cholesterol: 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

    Call emergency services for possible signs of a heart attack, including chest pressure or tightness that does not settle, particularly with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or stomach.

    Call emergency services immediately, even if the symptoms improve.

    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

    Seek prompt medical advice for severe or worsening muscle weakness, especially if you also have dark urine, fever, or feel very unwell while taking cholesterol-lowering medicine.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if:

    • A cholesterol test is high and has not been reviewed
    • A close relative has FH or very high cholesterol
    • A parent, sibling, or child developed heart disease or had a stroke unusually young
    • You notice firm tendon swellings or yellow patches around your eyes
    • You are having side effects or difficulty taking prescribed treatment
    • You want to understand when your cholesterol should be rechecked

The article also says

Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, loss of vision, severe imbalance, or one-sided numbness may be signs of a stroke.

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