{"id":182042,"date":"2025-08-28T09:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T09:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/182042\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T09:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T09:12:14","slug":"9-symptoms-emergency-room-doctors-would-never-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/182042\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Symptoms Emergency Room Doctors Would Never Ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes it\u2019s pretty obvious that it\u2019s time to head to the emergency room<\/a>, but others\u2026you might not be so sure. You may start to second-guess yourself: Is it really that serious? <\/p>\n

Especially for women, who are 35 percent more likely to skip or delay care, according to a 2024 Deloitte survey<\/a>, it\u2019s important to know when something is truly an emergency, so that you can put your health and safety first.<\/p>\n

Meet the experts: <\/strong>J. Lee Jenkins<\/a>, MD, is an emergency medicine physician at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Ariel Wu<\/a>, MD, was the former chief resident of the UCLA Emergency Medicine program. Eleni Horattas-Collins<\/a>, MD, is an emergency medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we tapped the docs who spend their days in the ER for the symptoms that they\u2019d never ignore. Here\u2019s what they said.<\/p>\n

9 Symptoms You Should Always Take Seriously, According To ER Doctors<\/strong>Any<\/strong> Of These Sneaky<\/strong> Heart Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n

You probably already know that severe chest pain<\/a> or pain when taking a breath is a sign to head to the emergency room, but heart symptoms can be more subtle for women.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen present differently with heart disease\u2014it’s not always that classic crushing chest pain where you’re clutching your chest and you’re bending over,\u201d says J. Lee Jenkins, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Worsening fatigue, leg swelling, unusual chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, nausea, and back or belly pain are all ways heart disease can present in women. <\/p>\n

Related Story<\/p>\n

Despite heart disease<\/a> being the number one cause of death in women over 65, more men than women visit the emergency department for diseases of the circulatory system each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control<\/a>. This is partly because many women don\u2019t know the symptoms they are experiencing are from a cardiac event, says Eleni Horattas-Collins, MD, an emergency medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes women have back pain, and sometimes they just have shortness of breath, so they linger at home for a few days waiting for it to go away,\u201d she says. \u201cOnce they come in, we realize that probably two or three days ago is when they had a significant event.\u201d<\/p>\n

You should also pay attention if any of these symptoms get worse with exertion, says Ariel Wu, MD, former chief resident of the UCLA Emergency Medicine program. If you’re walking or you’re doing some kind of activity, and it makes your pain or fatigue worse and doesn’t get better with rest, that\u2019s \u201ca textbook sign of an impending heart attack or blockage in arteries,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Weakness On One Side Of Your Body<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most common symptom of a stroke<\/a> is the sudden onset of numbness or weakness in part of your body, like your face, arm, or leg\u2014especially if it is just on one side.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’re having weakness on one side of your body, then there’s no time to waste,\u201d says Dr. Jenkins. \u201cGo directly to an emergency department.”<\/p>\n

These symptoms can be coupled with sudden loss of vision, especially in one eye, and neurological symptoms like dizziness or room-spinning. Symptoms of a stroke are unique in that they come on very quickly, and sometimes, someone around you actually notices them first.<\/p>\n

Related Story<\/p>\n

And, for what it\u2019s worth: Just because you are experiencing these symptoms doesn\u2019t mean you are having a stroke. Women often get atypical migraines, which can mimic the symptoms of a stroke, Dr. Wu says. You may also be experiencing a mini-stroke<\/a>, which means the symptoms are temporary and will go away. <\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not your job to figure out. \u201cDon’t worry about differentiating them,\u201d Dr. Wu says. \u201cJust get to the emergency department, and they’ll take it from there.\u201d <\/p>\n

Heavy Vaginal Bleeding<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are experiencing abnormally heavy bleeding<\/a> during your period or passing large clots of blood (think: bigger than the size of a grape, per the Mayo Clinic<\/a>), you should head to the emergency room. <\/p>\n

How do you know if you\u2019re bleeding more than usual? Pay attention to how many pads or tampons you\u2019re going through. If you\u2019re using more than you typically would, that\u2019s one sign, Dr. Horattas-Collins. An elevated heart rate or lightheadedness can also signal that you\u2019ve lost a significant amount of blood.<\/p>\n

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\u201c[The emergency room] is never the wrong place to go.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Losing that much blood puts you at risk of hypovolemic shock, which occurs when the body doesn\u2019t have enough blood to circulate oxygen and nutrients to your organs. This can be prevented by a simple blood transfusion in the emergency room, or sometimes a small gynecological procedure is necessary to prevent future blood loss, Dr. Jenkins says.
<\/p>\n

Plus, if there is any possibility that you are pregnant and you are experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially if it is coupled with abdominal pain, it is important to come to the emergency room to ensure you are not having an ectopic pregnancy, Dr. Wu says. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy occurs outside the uterus, often in the fallopian tube, and can be life-threatening. <\/p>\n

Pain, Heavy Bleeding, Or Leg Swelling During Pregnancy<\/strong><\/p>\n

As many people who have been pregnant know, different side effects come up during a pregnancy; often ones that can be handled with your OB-GYN at your check-ups. However, some symptoms, like severe abdominal pain and cramping, heavy vaginal bleeding, or a fever, are definitely worthy of going to the emergency room for an ultrasound, says Dr. Jenkins.<\/p>\n

Another symptom to look out for during pregnancy is leg swelling because this can be a sign of preeclampsia<\/a>, she says. Preeclampsia is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the mother\u2019s blood pressure rises during pregnancy. It is important to go to the emergency room so doctors can assess you and the baby, and help monitor blood pressure going forward. <\/p>\n

Heavy Bleeding, Lightheadedness, Or Surgery Complications Post-Delivery<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are experiencing heavy bleeding or lightheadedness after birth, you should go to the emergency room, Dr. Jenkins says.<\/p>\n

Heavy bleeding after a vaginal birth could be a sign that not all of the placenta and fetal tissue passed during the birth, according to a 2025 study in The Journal of Urgent Care Medicine<\/a>. This means not all of the placenta and fetal tissue passed during the birth. Doctors will do an ultrasound to determine if this is the case, and can treat the condition with antibiotics or small gynecological procedures to remove the remaining tissue and stop the bleeding. <\/p>\n

Related Story<\/p>\n

It is also important to remember that giving birth is a big deal and your body needs to recover, especially if you had a Cesarean section<\/a>. Many new parents get caught up in the chaos of a newborn baby, so they don\u2019t remember to check the surgical site in the days following their C-section, Dr. Jenkins says. If the site is red and swollen, or you have a fever, it could be a sign of an infection that needs immediate care, Dr. Jenkins says. <\/p>\n

An Injury You Can\u2019t Bear Weight On<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t bear weight on an injury, it\u2019s a sign you broke a bone. While many urgent cares have X-rays, they are not always read by radiologists, Dr. Jenkins says, so the ER has a leg up when it comes to helping treat you. The ER can do X-rays and advanced imaging, like a CT scan, to show bone fractures that might not even show up on a regular X-ray. The ER can also do advanced splinting techniques to set your broken bone and can get you a consultation with orthopedic doctors attached to the hospital. <\/p>\n

You should also go to the ER if you are experiencing any neurological or vascular symptoms in your possibly broken limb, Dr. Horattas-Collins adds. \u201cFor example, if your arm is broken and you can’t feel anything in your hand, or you\u2019re not getting a pulse in your hand, that\u2019s emergency level,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Bleeding That Won\u2019t Stop<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many cuts and scrapes can be managed at urgent care. Even if you need a few stitches, the doctors there should be able to do all sorts of basic laceration repairs, Dr. Wu says. However, if you have a cut that just won\u2019t seem to stop bleeding, it\u2019s a good idea to go to the emergency room. <\/p>\n

She also recommends coming to the emergency room if you have a cut or scrape in a sensitive area, like your hand or face, that you are worried won\u2019t heal on its own. This way you can get specialized care to prevent scarring and immobility as best you can. <\/p>\n

Signs Of A Head Injury<\/strong><\/p>\n

Head injuries are serious, and if you have signs of a concussion<\/a> after hitting your head\u2014like losing consciousness, nausea, bruising, or neck pain\u2014you should definitely get it checked out at the emergency room.<\/p>\n

It is also important to mention if you take any blood thinners to your doctor when you present with a head injury, as this increases the likelihood of a brain bleed.<\/p>\n

Related Story<\/p>\n

Regardless of immediate reactions, make sure to monitor symptoms of a head injury for the first 24 to 36 hours after it occurs. Sometimes concussions reveal themselves as time goes on, so be on the lookout for a new headache, nausea, vomiting, or confusion.<\/p>\n

If You Feel Like A Danger To Yourself Or Others<\/strong><\/p>\n

People don\u2019t traditionally think of the emergency room as a place to go for mental health concerns, but if you are worried about hurting yourself or hurting those around you, it is a safe place to go. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’re feeling suicidal and you have a plan to hurt yourself, or maybe you’re feeling unsafe with others, just go to an emergency department,\u201d Dr. Wu says. \u201cThey will figure it out and bring you to the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some emergency departments are part of hospitals with psychiatric departments or behavioral health teams that can work with patients to create a long-term plan for mental health care. They also might have a social work team to assist with other circumstances that can contribute to mental health problems. <\/p>\n

Related Story<\/p>\n

Even if the emergency room you end up at doesn\u2019t have these services on site, they will know who to call to help you get the care you need. They can also help you figure out how to get help if you feel like you are in an unsafe domestic situation or an unsafe relationship. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s never the wrong place to go,\u201d Dr. Wu says.<\/p>\n

ER or urgent care?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Experiencing a symptom not on this list and unsure about whether it\u2019s ER-worthy or just requires a trip to your local urgent care? When thinking about whether or not you need to go to the emergency room, think about your condition in terms of chronicity and acuity, says Dr. Wu. <\/p>\n