Cardiologist shares 5 symptoms you should never ignore and when to call 999
Heart and circulatory diseases claim roughly 17.9 million lives worldwide each year, making them the globe's biggest killer.
Shockingly, more than half of Britons are expected to develop a heart or circulation problem during their lifetime.
This makes recognising the warning signs absolutely crucial - and knowing exactly when to seek expert help.
According to Dr Allison R. Zielinski, a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, chest pain should be your first red flag for booking a doctor's appointment.
Chest discomfort represents one of the "hallmark signs of a heart problem", with pressure that intensifies during physical activity potentially signalling that your heart isn't receiving adequate blood flow, reports Surrey Live.
Dr Zielinski also recommends consulting a specialist if you suffer from breathlessness, heart palpitations or dizzy spells, as they can establish whether an underlying cardiac condition is to blame.
Certain warning signs demand immediate emergency attention, particularly pain that radiates to your arm, neck, jaw, back, or stomach.
British Heart Foundation specialists warn this could signal a heart attack is occurring and 999 should be dialled without delay.
Suddenly experiencing nausea, sweating or feeling faint might seem like food poisoning or anxiety - but these could also indicate cardiac arrest.
The BHF states: "If you experience a new and sudden feeling of sickness, sweatiness or light-headedness it is important you call 999 straight away."
You should also watch out for any puffiness in your feet, ankles, or lower legs, as this can signal heart failure.
This happens when your heart cannot circulate blood effectively throughout the body, causing fluid to build up.
Another instance when you must dial 999 immediately is if you notice any signs of a stroke.
The Stroke Association advises remembering the FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) as "every minute is vital" when seeking urgent medical assistance.
Face weakness forms the initial element of the acronym and requires checking whether the individual can smile or if their mouth or eyes have drooped.
Next is arm weakness - can they lift both arms and maintain them raised?
Their speech might also be impacted and may sound garbled.
Should someone you know display any single one of these warning signs, you must ring 999 straight away.
The Stroke Association states: "Acting FAST will give the person having a stroke the best chance of survival and recovery. Even if it doesn't seem like much, any one of these signs of stroke is an emergency, so always call 999 immediately."
An intense headache or vision difficulties - including fuzzy eyesight or losing sight in one or both eyes - may also indicate a stroke.
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