What to Do When You Have a Concerning Symptom or Condition
If you experience concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services (9-1-1) for potentially life-threatening symptoms, or contact your healthcare provider for less urgent concerns.
Recognizing Emergency Symptoms
Chest Pain or Discomfort
- If you experience chest discomfort/pain that is unimproved or worsening 5 minutes after onset, call 9-1-1 immediately 1
- Do not wait for symptoms to disappear as these are poor indicators of risk 1
- If previously prescribed nitroglycerin (NTG):
- Take one dose of NTG for chest discomfort
- If pain is unimproved or worsening 5 minutes after taking NTG, call 9-1-1 immediately 1
- If you have chronic stable angina and symptoms significantly improve after one NTG, you may repeat NTG every 5 minutes for a maximum of 3 doses, but call 9-1-1 if symptoms don't completely resolve 1
Other Emergency Warning Signs
Call 9-1-1 immediately for:
- Severe hypoxemia or shortness of breath 1
- Signs of severe lung disease 1
- Cardiac chest pain 1
- Confusion or new disorientation 1
- Cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, fainting 1
- Symptoms that interrupt normal activity 1
For Non-Emergency but Concerning Symptoms
Respiratory Symptoms
- For new or worsened breathlessness or confusion, seek face-to-face medical assessment 1
- For symptoms that persist beyond expected timeframes, contact your healthcare provider 1
Post-COVID Symptoms
- If experiencing ongoing symptoms after COVID-19 infection for more than 4 weeks, consider seeking medical evaluation 1
- Monitor symptoms using symptom diaries or tracking apps to share with healthcare providers 1
Multiple Chronic Symptoms
- For unexplained multiple chronic symptoms, consider evaluation for chronic multisymptom illness 1
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies may be helpful for managing symptoms 1
General Guidance for All Concerning Symptoms
- Document your symptoms: Track when they started, their severity, what makes them better or worse
- Consider infection: If you have an acute illness with any abnormal signs or symptoms, urgently seek medical evaluation 1
- Take appropriate action based on severity:
- For mild symptoms: Contact your primary care provider
- For moderate symptoms: Consider urgent care or same-day appointment
- For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms: Call emergency services (9-1-1)
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Delay in seeking care: Many patients delay seeking help due to uncertainty about symptom severity or fear of embarrassment 1
- Self-diagnosis: Do not attempt to self-diagnose serious conditions
- Ignoring gradual symptoms: Heart attacks and other serious conditions often present with gradual rather than sudden symptoms 1
- Assuming symptoms will resolve: Do not wait for symptoms to disappear as these are poor indicators of risk 1
Remember that early diagnosis and treatment can be life-saving. When in doubt about the seriousness of your symptoms, it is better to seek medical attention than to wait.