If you have one or more things on this list, get medical help right away.

• Trouble breathing
• Bad pain in the chest with sweating
• Bad pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms
• All of a sudden you can’t talk
• All of a sudden you can’t move one side of your body
• One side of your body feels numb
• All of a sudden you have pain in one eye
• All of a sudden you can’t see with one eye
• Bleeding that can’t be stopped
• All of a sudden you can’t walk or feel dizzy
• Pain from a fall or you cannot get up from a fall
• All of a sudden you get a severe headache
• Passing out
• Vomiting blood or what looks like coffee grounds

These are serious warning signs. Do not wait to see what happens. Getting care quickly could save your life. Getting treatment as soon as possible can also prevent more injury to you.

When you need help right away, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services.

• Tell emergency staff what is happening to you.
• Stay on the phone. The emergency operator will tell you what to do.
• If you are told to, go to the hospital in an ambulance. The paramedics can begin lifesaving care even before you get to the hospital.
• If you cannot reach emergency services, have someone drive you to the hospital right away. Do not drive yourself unless you have no other choice.

For more information go to Healthwise’s section Dealing with Emergencies – click here

Still not sure of the urgency of your situation? Speak to our SCAN OnCall® registered nurses anytime at 1-800-793-1717.