What symptoms require immediate medical attention before my scheduled doctor's (dr) appointment in 2 days?

Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Attention Before Your Doctor's Appointment

You should immediately seek emergency medical care for chest pain that interrupts your normal activity, lasts more than 20 minutes, or is accompanied by cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, fainting, or anxiety/fear, as these may indicate a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention. 1

Cardiac Emergencies - Call 911 Immediately For:

• Chest pain, discomfort, pressure, or tightness that:

  • Interrupts your normal activities 1
  • Lasts longer than 20 minutes 1
  • Is accompanied by cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, fainting, or anxiety/fear 1
  • Radiates to the arm, jaw, neck, or back 1
  • Is not relieved by rest 1

• If you have been prescribed nitroglycerin:

  • Take one dose for chest discomfort
  • If symptoms are unimproved or worsen after 5 minutes, call 911 immediately 1
  • Do not wait for symptoms to disappear as these are poor indicators of risk 1

• If you experience chest pain and have not been prescribed nitroglycerin:

  • Call 911 immediately if pain is unimproved or worsening after 5 minutes 1

Other Medical Emergencies - Seek Immediate Care For:

• Severe, sudden headache (especially if it's the "worst headache of your life") 2
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially at rest or with minimal exertion 1
• Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe abdominal pain 1

For Patients With Known Conditions:

• If you have sickle cell disease: fever, cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing may indicate acute chest syndrome requiring immediate attention 3
• If you have been prescribed medications for specific conditions (like heart disease): follow your emergency action plan 1

Important Actions During an Emergency:

• Call 911 rather than having friends or family drive you to the hospital 1
• If advised and not allergic, take a fast-acting aspirin tablet (162-325mg, chewed) 1
• Do not delay seeking help by self-medicating with over-the-counter medications 1
• Do not wait for symptoms to disappear as this can be dangerous 1

When to Wait for Your Scheduled Appointment:

• Mild symptoms that do not interrupt daily activities 1
• Pain that varies with respiration, body position, or food intake 1
• Pain that is well localized on the chest wall and accompanied by local tenderness 1
• Headache that responds to over-the-counter medication and is similar to your usual headaches 4

Remember that early diagnosis and treatment can be life-saving, particularly for cardiac conditions. When in doubt about the severity of your symptoms, it's safer to seek emergency care rather than wait for your scheduled appointment 1.