Mitral valve surgery - open: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency help for:

   • Severe breathing difficulty or new chest pressure
   • Fainting or loss of consciousness
   • Sudden weakness, facial drooping, confusion, or trouble speaking
   • Uncontrolled bleeding
   • Coughing up a significant amount of blood
   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
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Call promptly for increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or opening of the incision; a new fever; worsening breathlessness; persistent palpitations; rapid weight gain; increasing leg swelling; or pain that is getting worse instead of better.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   For routine questions, contact your team about pain control, appetite, sleep, wound care, activity limits, medicines, or follow-up appointments.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Mitral valve surgery - open. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.