When to see a heart or vascular specialist
Some heart and blood vessel problems are emergencies. Others can wait for a clinic visit but should not be ignored. Find your symptom below. Tap a symptom to see what it may mean.
Go to the emergency room now
These signs can mean a heart attack, a stroke, a blocked artery, a blood clot in the lungs, fluid in the lungs from heart failure, or a tear in the aorta. Do not wait to see if they go away. Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you.
Chest pain, pressure or squeezing, or discomfort spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw
It may come with shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Women may have less typical signs. This can be a heart attack. Go even if you are not sure. [Ref: AHA Heart Attack Warning Signs] [Ref: ESC 2023 ACS]
Learn about heart attackA leg or arm that suddenly turns cold, pale, painful, numb or weak
This can mean a sudden blockage of blood flow (acute limb ischemia). Fast treatment can save the limb. [Ref: ACC/AHA/SVM 2024 PAD] [Ref: ESC 2024 PAAD]
Learn about PADSudden face drooping, arm or leg weakness, trouble speaking, loss of balance, or loss of vision in one or both eyes
These are signs of a stroke. Go to the emergency room even if the signs go away within minutes. That may be a mini-stroke (TIA), a warning that a bigger stroke may follow. [Ref: AHA/ASA Stroke Warning Signs] [Ref: ESVS 2023 Carotid]
Learn about carotid disease and strokeSudden shortness of breath, chest pain worse when breathing in, coughing up blood, or fainting
These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). [Ref: ESC 2019 PE] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2026 PE] [Ref: AHA VTE Symptoms]
Learn about DVT and PESudden, severe pain in the chest, back or belly that may feel sharp, stabbing, tearing or ripping
It is often the worst pain you have ever felt. It may move from the chest to the back or belly, and come with fainting or stroke-like signs. This can mean a tear in the aorta (dissection) or a burst aneurysm. [Ref: AHA Aorta Health] [Ref: ESC 2024 PAAD] [Ref: ESVS 2024 AAA]
Learn about aortic diseaseA foot with diabetes that becomes hot, red and swollen with fever or feeling very unwell, or a toe turning black
This can be a fast-spreading infection or gangrene. [Ref: IWGDF/ESVS/SVS 2023 Diabetes and PAD]
Learn about diabetic foot careSudden, severe shortness of breath, shortness of breath at rest, being unable to lie flat, or coughing up pink, frothy mucus
This can be sudden heart failure, with fluid building up in the lungs. [Ref: ESC 2026 HF] [Ref: AHA Heart Failure Warning Signs]
Learn about heart failureFainting, or a racing or very slow heartbeat with chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness
This can be a dangerous heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia). [Ref: ESC 2022 VA] [Ref: ACC/AHA/HRS 2018 Bradycardia]
Learn about arrhythmiasBlood pressure of 180/110 or higher with chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, a bad headache, weakness, vision changes, trouble speaking or confusion
Very high blood pressure with these symptoms can be damaging the heart, brain or kidneys. [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN] [Ref: PSH/PHA 2024 Acute Severe BP] [Ref: AHA BP Readings]
Learn about high blood pressureSee a doctor today or within a few days
One leg that becomes swollen, painful, warm or red, especially in the calf
This can be a blood clot in a deep vein (DVT). It needs a same-day ultrasound. If you also feel short of breath, go to the emergency room now. [Ref: ESVS 2021 Venous Thrombosis] [Ref: ESC 2019 PE] [Ref: AHA VTE Symptoms]
Learn about DVT and PEA vein under the skin that becomes hard, red and painful, like a cord
This can be superficial vein thrombosis, a clot in a vein just under the skin. It needs an ultrasound soon, and the same day if it is in the thigh, near the groin or behind the knee. If you also feel short of breath, go to the emergency room now. [Ref: ESVS 2021 Venous Thrombosis] [Ref: JAMA 2025 Superficial Vein Thrombosis]
Learn about superficial vein thrombosisLeg or foot pain that wakes you at night or happens at rest
It may ease when you hang your leg over the side of the bed. This can mean blood flow is too low to keep the foot healthy (chronic limb-threatening ischemia). [Ref: GVG 2019 CLTI] [Ref: ACC/AHA/SVM 2024 PAD]
Learn about PADA sore on your foot, toe or leg that has not healed after 2 weeks
This matters most if you have diabetes, smoke, or have been told you have poor circulation. [Ref: GVG 2019 CLTI] [Ref: IWGDF/ESVS/SVS 2023 Diabetes and PAD]
A foot with diabetes that becomes warm, red or swollen, even without pain or fever
See a doctor today. This can be an infection, or Charcot foot, a problem with the bones of the foot. Nerve damage can hide pain and fever. [Ref: IWGDF 2023 Practical Guidelines]
Learn about diabetic foot careChest discomfort that comes on with effort and eases with rest, if it is new to you
See a doctor today. This can be angina. If it happens at rest, lasts more than a few minutes or keeps getting worse, go to the emergency room now. [Ref: AHA Angina] [Ref: ESC 2024 CCS]
Learn about anginaBlood pressure of 180/110 or higher, with no other symptoms
Rest for a minute and check again. If it is still that high, contact your doctor today. [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN] [Ref: PSH/PHA 2024 Acute Severe BP] [Ref: AHA BP Readings]
If you have heart failure: more breathless or swollen than usual, or weight up by more than 1 kg overnight or 2 kg in 3 days
Fluid may be building up. Your doctor may need to adjust your medicines. [Ref: ESC 2026 HF] [Ref: AHA Heart Failure Warning Signs]
Learn about heart failureBook a visit with a vascular specialist
Calf, thigh or buttock cramps when you walk that go away with rest
This is called claudication. It is the most common symptom of peripheral artery disease. [Ref: ACC/AHA/SVM 2024 PAD] [Ref: ESC 2024 PAAD]
Learn about PADBulging, twisted veins with aching, heaviness, itching or swelling by evening
[Ref: ESVS 2022 Chronic Venous Disease]
Learn about vein diseaseSkin around the ankles that is darkening, hardening or scaly
These changes can mean long-standing vein disease and a higher chance of leg ulcers. [Ref: ESVS 2022 Chronic Venous Disease]
Learn about vein diseaseAn aortic aneurysm found on a scan, or a parent, brother or sister with an aortic aneurysm or dissection
Relatives may need a screening scan too. [Ref: ESC 2024 PAAD] [Ref: ACC/AHA 2022 Aortic] [Ref: ESVS 2024 AAA]
Learn about aortic diseaseA narrowed neck (carotid) artery found on a test, with no stroke symptoms
A specialist can advise on medicines and follow-up. [Ref: ESVS 2023 Carotid]
Learn about carotid diseaseDiabetes, even without foot problems
People with diabetes should have their feet and pulses checked at least once a year. [Ref: IWGDF/ESVS/SVS 2023 Diabetes and PAD]
Learn about diabetic foot careBlood pressure readings of 140/90 or higher on more than one day
This is how high blood pressure is diagnosed in the Philippines. Readings of 130/80 or higher are also worth talking to your doctor about. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP]
Learn about high blood pressureGetting short of breath with light activity, swollen ankles, or needing extra pillows to sleep
These can be early signs of heart failure. [Ref: AHA Heart Failure Warning Signs]
Learn about heart failureSwelling of an arm or leg that does not go away, or heaviness after lymph node surgery or radiation
This can be lymphedema. Treatment works best when started early. [Ref: ISL 2023 Lymphedema]
Learn about lymphedemaA heartbeat that often feels irregular, racing, pounding or skipping
This can be atrial fibrillation or another arrhythmia. An ECG taken during the symptoms helps find the cause. [Ref: ESC 2024 AF]
Learn about arrhythmias