Heart attack
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Feeling weak, light-headed or faint
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders
- Shortness of breath
Call 911 immediately.[1]
Stroke — BE FAST
- Balance: sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Eyes: sudden trouble seeing
- Face: one side droops when smiling
- Arms: one arm drifts down when both are raised
- Speech: slurred or strange speech
- Time: call 911 right away and note when symptoms started
Don't drive yourself; an ambulance team can start treatment on the way.[2]
Testicular torsion
- Sudden, severe pain in one testicle or the scrotum
- Swelling of the scrotum, sometimes with nausea or vomiting
This is an emergency: the blood supply to the testicle is cut off. Go to an emergency department straight away.[3]
Can't urinate at all
- You cannot pass urine
- Painful, frequent, urgent urination with fever and chills
- Severe pain in the lower belly or urinary tract
Get medical help right away.[4]
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Hives with dizziness or fainting
Call 911. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it as directed.[5]
Suicidal crisis
- Thoughts of ending your life
- Talking about being a burden or having no reason to live
Call or text 988 (free, confidential, 24/7) or chat at 988lifeline.org. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.[6]
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery. Checked 23 October 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. Checked 23 October 2026.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Testicular torsion. Checked 23 October 2026.
- NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). Checked 23 October 2026.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Anaphylaxis. Checked 23 October 2026.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Checked 23 October 2026.
The owner of this website is not a doctor. Human Atlas provides educational anatomy information and does not diagnose, stage, or treat disease. Talk to a qualified clinician about anything concerning your own health.