Since the coronavirus outbreak, fewer people are being seen in hospital with conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. We look at the symptoms that are important to get checked by a medical expert, and explain why its vital to seek help immediately.
If you experience symptoms of an emergency, such as heart attack or stroke, it is important that you seek medical help immediately by calling 999. If you delay, you are more likely to suffer serious damage and more likely to need intensive care and to spend longer in hospital.
But how do you know whether you need to seek help? Heres our quick guide to some of the symptoms that mean you must seek urgent help.
If you need to speak to your GP, many GP surgeries are offering phone and online consultations at the moment, so it is likely that you can speak to a medical professional without having to leave the house.
If you start to feel a sudden pain or discomfort in your chest, call 999 immediately. This can be a symptom of a heart attack, and its vital that you seek medical help without delay.
Its important to remember that discomfort can be felt in different ways. For instance, you may feel a sensation of pressure, tightness or squeezing in the centre of your chest.
This can be another symptom of a heart attack, and it is important that you call 999 for medical help immediately. For some the pain or tightness is severe, while for others its uncomfortable.
These can be symptoms of other less-serious conditions, such as food poisoning or panic attacks, and can pass quickly. However, they can also be a symptom of a heart attack. If you experience a new and sudden feeling of sickness, sweatiness of light-headedness it is important you call 999 straight away.
Increasing swelling below your knees can be a sign of heart failure. This symptom occurs because your heart is not able to pump blood around the body efficiently, leading to fluid retention.
Increasing swelling below your knees can be a sign of heart failure.
If you notice this swelling, make an appointment with your GP to discuss, so you can be assessed and tested as needed. Many of these tests can be done at the GP surgery, so its unlikely you will need to go into hospital. Its important that you see your GP straight away, as delaying any treatment risks your symptoms getting worse.
If you have been diagnosed with heart failure, it is important to weigh yourself regularly. Any sudden weight gain may suggest too much fluid is building up in your body and could be a sign that your condition is worsening or that you may need your medication adjusted.
Although many people are finding themselves putting on weight while in lockdown, its still worth making a note of any weight gain you notice. If you notice a sudden weight gain of more than two or three pounds in a 24-hour period or more than five pounds in a week, phone your GP or healthcare provider.
There are a number of causes for shortness of breath but it can be a sign of heart failure. This can be experienced while youre being active for instance walking or climbing stairs or while youre sitting down or lying flat in bed.
There are a number of causes for shortness of breath but it can be a sign of heart failure.
If you experience shortness of breath or notice any worsening in your ability to do your regular activities, make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms.
If you find yourself waking up from sleep struggling to breathe, or even coughing up frothy sputum - a mixture of saliva and mucus then you should dial 999 immediately as this can be a sign that you are in pulmonary oedema.
Can you smile? Has your mouth or eye dropped? Facial weakness can be a symptom of a stroke, and so it is vital that you call 999 immediately for urgent medical help.
Can you speak clearly, or are you having difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences? These symptoms could be a sign that you are having a stroke. Act quickly by calling 999 straight away.
Act F.A.S.T to recognise the signs:
You need urgent medical help if its a sudden memory loss or confusion thats not related to a condition you (or the person youre caring for) already have. Its important to note that these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, and if theyre not sudden they may not need to be treated urgently.
But if the memory loss or confusion is unusual and sudden, it could be an emergency such as a stroke. Seek medical help by calling 999 immediately.
A severe headache can be caused by many things, but if it comes on quickly and suddenly, it could be a sign of a stroke. A stroke headache can also be associated with the loss of sensation, such as vision or feeling, but not always. Call 999 for medical help.
Sight problems can refer to anything from blurred vision to the loss of sight in one or both eyes. Experiencing any of these suddenly can be a sign of a stroke. Dont delay call 999 immediately.
If you experience a sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, call 999 straight away as you may be experiencing a stroke. This sudden weakness or numbness can be felt anywhere in the body, including in the legs, hands or feet.
Around 40 per cent of people faint at least once in their life, but its usually not dangerous. However, if you are worried about your fainting or blackout episodes, then you should make an appointment with your GP. They will be able to diagnose or rule out any medical problems, such as an abnormal heart rhythm.
It may be possible for a heart rhythm monitor known as a Holter monitor or ambulatory ECG monitoring - to be sent to you to avoid you having to go into hospital. This is worn for at least 24 hours and can be for up to a week and monitors your heart rhythm throughout. This can help your medical professional diagnose any problem with your heart.
Palpitations describe the sensation of feeling your own heart beating. You may feel like your heart is beating irregularly, pounding or fluttering, and they can be felt while youre being active or while you are at rest.
Palpitations are common and usually harmless, and you do not need to see your GP if the palpitations pass quickly and happen only occasionally.
However, it is a good idea to make an appointment to see your GP if:
This is not a guide to all symptoms that mean you need urgent care. Whatever the symptoms, if you feel unable to manage them you should seek medical help.
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Medical When do you still need to get medical help? We look at the heart attack - British Heart Foundation
