The symptom that manifests on your face and that should make you call an ambulance immediately

Strokes and heart attacks happen without warning, but there are also early symptoms that give us some time to react and seek medical help.

One such symptom is facial sagging , for example, which can manifest as a crooked smile or a drooping eyelid, and which could be due to insufficient blood flow to the brain and requires immediate attention, as it is often indicative of a stroke.

Another symptom is if the patient slurs words or struggles to remember the right words, signs that could indicate a blood flow disorder. These speech difficulties warn of possible strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or carotid artery disease.

But beyond the face or head, circulatory problems manifest in other ways. Sudden, unexplained chest pain or discomfort should prompt an immediate call to emergency services, as it is an important warning sign of a heart attack.

If chest pain begins to radiate to the arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach , it is crucial to call 112. This could manifest as a feeling of tightness or discomfort.

Feeling suddenly ill, sweaty, or dizzy is also often a symptom that passes quickly or has a clear cause, such as food poisoning from spoiled food. But it can also indicate a heart attack.

Swelling in the feet, ankles, or calves could indicate heart failure due to poor blood pumping by the heart, causing fluid retention and swelling in the lower body.