Certain urgent signs might indicate you have just a few hours to take action before your heart suffers irreparable harm and failure to recognise them could lead to a misjudgement of their severity. Distinguishing those symptoms that require immediate medical intervention from those that can wait for a GP visit is crucial.
The British Heart Foundation emphasised: “Don’t delay getting help because you think the NHS is too busy, or because you’ve had trouble getting an appointment. If you delay, you are more likely to suffer serious damage and more likely to need intensive care and to spend longer in hospital.”
Facial droopiness, for example, which might manifest as a lopsided grin or sagging eyelid, could stem from insufficient blood flow to the brain and needs immediate attention as it’s often indicative of a stroke. Or, if you find yourself slurring words without intending to or struggling to recall appropriate terms, this could signal disrupted blood flow.
These speech difficulties warn of potential strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or carotid artery disease. Sudden pain or discomfort in the chest that can’t be explained should prompt an immediate call to 999, as it’s a major warning sign of a heart attack.
The charity emphasised: “It’s 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.” If chest pain starts radiating into your arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach, it’s crucial to dial 999. This could manifest as a feeling of tightness or unease.
Suddenly feeling unwell, sweaty, or light-headed is often a symptom that passes quickly or has a clear cause like food poisoning from a bad meal. But it can also indicate a heart attack.
Swelling in the feet, ankles, or lower legs might signal heart failure due to inefficient blood pumping by the heart, leading to fluid retention and swelling in the lower body parts. While this doesn’t necessarily require a hospital visit, the British Heart Foundation advises: “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 it’s unlikely you will need to go into hospital. It’s important that you see your GP straight away, as delaying any treatment risks your symptoms getting worse.”
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