It’s often difficult to know when your symptoms are more serious than a common illness and for many illnesses, early diagnosis is essential to making a recovery.
By spotting the signs of major illnesses and getting to a health professional early, you can increase your chances of recovery.
Some illnesses aren’t always easy to spot but UK’s ‘Help Us Help You’ campaigns have helped to highlight the point at which you should see a doctor or seek urgent medical help.
Heart attack
Heart attack symptoms and signs can vary from person to person, but the most common include pain or squeezing across the chest and a feeling of unease.
You might be surprised to hear symptoms don’t always feel severe – some people may have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain.
If you think you or somebody you’re with is having a heart attack, don’t be tempted to dismiss the signs or wait to see what happens. The faster you act, the better their chances.
It’s never too early to call 999 and check. Visit NHS website for more information.
Stroke
Act F.A.S.T. Call 999 if you see any single one of the signs of a stroke.
The Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym provides a memorable way of identifying the most common signs of a stroke and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999.
Think and Act F.A.S.T. if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke:
- Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech – is their speech slurred?
- Time – even if you’re not sure, call 999
When Stroke Strikes Act F.A.S.T. Call 999
A stroke is known as a ‘brain attack’. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. That is why calling 999 is so crucial. Early recognition of symptoms can give stroke patients those extra precious minutes, enabling faster access to specialist treatment and increasing the chances of a recovery which could reduce the long-term effects, such as a disability.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases the risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it.
All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. You can check your blood pressure if you have a monitor at home, or as part of your NHS health check, at some workplaces, at a pharmacy or your GP practice.
Cancer symptoms
As part of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, NHS England is encouraging anyone who has had tummy troubles such as discomfort or diarrhoea for three weeks or more, or seen blood in their pee – even just once, to contact their GP practice.
Persistent tummy troubles can be a sign of a number of cancers, including bowel, ovarian or pancreatic cancer, and blood in pee – even just once, can be a sign of urological cancers, including bladder or kidney cancer.
While it’s probably nothing serious, any of these symptoms could be a sign of something that needs treatment. If it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable and can save lives.
Visit NHS website for more information.
Persistent cough
A cough that lasts for three weeks or more could be a sign of cancer. It’s probably nothing serious, but if it is cancer, finding it early makes it more treatable and can save lives. Contact your GP practice.
Your NHS wants to see you.
For more information on cancer signs and symptoms go to NHS website.