First Aid Calling for Help 5 Medical Symptoms Worthy of 911 By Rod Brouhard, EMT-P facebook twitter linkedin Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients. Learn about our editorial process Rod Brouhard, EMT-P Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO on November 12, 2019 Michael Menna, DO, is a board-certified, active attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board Michael Menna, DO on November 12, 2019 Print More in First Aid Calling for Help Allergies & Anaphylaxis Bites & Stings Breathing Emergencies Broken Bones Bruises, Cuts & Punctures Heat & Cold Exposure Infections Rash Emergency Preparedness View All Instinctively, we know to call 911 when someone breaks into our home or if we smell smoke. We know to call 911 if we get into a car crash. But do you know when to call 911 for a medical condition? Medical conditions are harder to judge than accidents. Sometimes they seem to come on slowly, and before you know it, it's an emergency. Medical conditions can be subtle, but they could still be as life-threatening as a gunshot wound. 1 Sudden Loss of Consciousness Science Photo Library / Getty Images The sudden loss of consciousness (passing out) can be either no big deal or the end of life. At one end of the spectrum, some people pass out from the sight of blood—and that's not life-threatening. On the other hand, death—also known as cardiac arrest — starts with unconsciousness. 2 Chest Pain Science Photo Library / Getty Images Chest pain is one of the most overlooked medical emergencies out there. Many folks explain it away as nothing more than heartburn or muscle soreness. However, don't ignore chest pain, as chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack. 3 Weakness on One Side Only being able to lift one arm can be a sign of stroke. Science Photo Library/Getty Images Strokes can either be sudden and completely scary or subtle and not clearly dangerous. Most people know to call 911 when they can't talk or they're drooling and can't stop, but weakness on one side and not the other is often explained away as nothing more than a pinched nerve. If the leg and the arm on one side go numb or weak together—especially if the other side is fine—it's time to call 911. 4 Shortness of Breath Martin Barraud / Getty Images Trouble breathing is the symptom that comes with almost anything. The causes of shortness of breath can be anything from a heart attack, a blood clot in the lungs, a collapsed lung, anaphylactic shock and more. 5 Seizure Seizures can be from chronic conditions, like epilepsy, or they can be from new damage to the brain or from things that affect the brain, like low blood sugar or heat stroke. If the victim has never had a seizure before—or you don't know if she has—call 911. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit