What should I do now?
Call 911
Call 911 for new or unexplained chest pressure that persists or returns, severe trouble breathing, collapse without normal recovery, or sudden face/arm weakness or trouble speaking. Do not drive yourself.
Contact your care team
Unexplained fainting needs assessment. Fainting during exercise, with chest symptoms, or with known heart disease can require urgent care.
Keep your care plan
Follow the safety and driving plan from your care team; record a witness account when available.
SECTION 6
Preparing for your appointment
- What were you doing and what position were you in?
- Was there warning, such as sweating, nausea, or palpitations?
- How long were you unconscious, and how quickly did you recover?
- Was there an injury, shaking, or prolonged confusion?
- Have similar events happened before?
Bring a witness if possible, your medicine list, prior test results, and any family history of sudden unexplained death. Ask whether you need monitoring, what to do if symptoms return, and when you can safely drive.
Updated October 2026. Educational information; your own care plan may differ. Medical illustrations are simplified examples for teaching.