Should I Chase Up My Doctor?
April 9, 2026
Should I chase up my doctor? (yes) Yes, yes and yes. [“OK, we have got it” MyHSN Ed.] In fact. Check, check and check again. This is the simplest and most important piece of advice on this...
A health red flag is a specific symptom or change in your body or mind that suggests a potentially serious underlying condition.
Whilest many symptoms are minor, a “red flag” acts as an early warning system, indicating that you may need urgent medical investigation or treatment.
Identifying these signs early can be life-saving. Medical professionals generally categorize these warning signs into three distinct areas: Acute Physical, Chronic Physical, and Mental Health red flags.
Definition: Acute symptoms appear rapidly—often within minutes or hours. These are considered medical emergencies because they suggest a sudden failure in vital systems like the heart, lungs, or brain.
Examples of Acute Red Flags:
Severe Chest Pain: Often described as pressure, tightness, or squeezing.
Sudden Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing while resting or minimal exertion.
Neurological Changes: Sudden weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, or slurred speech (classic signs of a stroke).
Thunderclap Headache: An excruciating headache that reaches maximum intensity within seconds.
Sepsis Indicators: A high fever or feeling abnormally cold, especially when accompanied by a non-fading rash, mottled skin, or confusion.
What to do:
If you experience these symptoms, do not wait for a GP appointment. Go immediately to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department or dial 999 for an ambulance.
Time is critical; for conditions like stroke or heart attack, receiving treatment within 2 hours is vital for recovery.
Definition: Chronic red flags develop more slowly, usually over days or weeks. While they may not require an ambulance, they are “persistent” changes that could indicate serious conditions, including cancer or internal organ dysfunction.
Examples of Chronic Red Flags:
Unexplained Bleeding: Finding blood in your urine (wee), faeces (poo), or coughing up blood in your sputum.
Post-Menopausal Bleeding: Any vaginal bleeding in a woman whose periods have stopped for over a year.
Cauda Equina Signs: New, severe back pain combined with numbness in the “saddle area” or a sudden loss of bowel/bladder control.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Dropping weight significantly without trying.
Lumps and Bumps: Any new, hard, or rapidly growing mass on the body.
What to do:
Contact your NHS GP surgery within 24 to 72 hours. When booking, request a face-to-face examination. You may wish to ask for a “double appointment” (20 minutes) to ensure the doctor has enough time to perform a thorough physical assessment.
Note: If you suspect spinal cord compression (sudden back pain with leg weakness/incontinence), this is an emergency—see a doctor today or go to A&E.
Definition: These are significant shifts in your thought processes, mood, or perception of reality. Mental health emergencies are just as valid as physical ones and require professional intervention.
Warning Signs Include:
Perception Shifts: Experiencing hallucinations (seeing/hearing things others don’t) or delusions (fixed beliefs that aren’t based in reality).
Extreme Mood Swings: Moving between deep despair and uncontrollable “highs” or euphoria.
Cognitive Decline: Sudden confusion, inability to concentrate, or memory loss that interferes with daily life.
Increased Substance Use: Relying heavily on alcohol or recreational drugs to cope with intrusive thoughts.
Suicidal Ideation: Thinking about self-harm or ending your life.
What to do:
Consult a healthcare professional immediately. If you are in crisis or have thoughts of suicide, call 999, contact the Samaritans (116 123), or attend A&E. You do not have to struggle alone; help is available 24/7.
| Type of Red Flag | Speed of Onset | Action Required |
| Acute | Minutes/Hours | Call 999 or go to A&E immediately. |
| Chronic | Days/Weeks | Book a GP appointment within 2-3 days. |
| Mental Health | Variable | Contact a GP or crisis line; 999 for active danger. |
Understanding these red flags is the first step in taking control of your health. If your “gut feeling” tells you something is wrong, listen to it—doctors would always rather see you for a false alarm than have you miss a critical warning sign.
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