Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: 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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Do not stop prescribed treatment without medical advice unless emergency instructions say otherwise.
Seek emergency help for:
Chest pressure or pain that is severe, persistent or occurs at rest
Chest discomfort with sweating, nausea, breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
Sudden weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty or loss of vision
Fainting, especially during activity or with chest symptoms
Sudden severe breathlessness
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
New exercise intolerance, occasional chest discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness or unexplained tiredness also needs prompt assessment rather than waiting for the next routine review.
These symptoms can have several causes, but they require urgent assessment.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine contact with your specialist team if treatment is causing side effects, appointments or apheresis sessions have been missed, or you are having difficulty following the plan.
The article also says
Contact the care team early if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.