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
Seek emergency medical help for:
Sudden facial drooping, arm or leg weakness, speech trouble, confusion, or loss of vision
Coughing up more than a small streak of blood
Sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or blue-grey skin
A seizure or loss of consciousness
Severe headache with fever, vomiting, weakness, or confusion
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
These symptoms can have causes other than a pulmonary AVM, but they need urgent assessment.
Contact your usual healthcare team promptly if you develop a small amount of blood in your sputum, worsening shortness of breath, lower exercise tolerance, repeated dizziness, or signs of worsening low oxygen.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine contact is appropriate if follow-up imaging is overdue or you are planning pregnancy, dental treatment, surgery, or another procedure that may place bacteria or air into the bloodstream.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.