Being sick is scary. Being seriously ill is even scarier. Many people worry about their health on a daily basis. Questions like, “Why does my elbow hurt when I twist it this way?” or “I’m dizzy and have no idea why…” can send even the most laid-back patient running for WebMD.

However, there are some legitimately scary health conditions that require attention... STAT!

Education is a powerful tool when it comes to self-care. People who understand the symptoms and implications of serious health conditions are more likely to seek care in a timely manner, follow up with care as needed and follow all directions their healthcare professionals provide. Awareness of what health conditions can affect you long-term and what conditions may even be life-threatening is essential to understanding your health and knowing when you need medical intervention.

Five Scary Health Conditions You Should Know About

When evaluating your symptoms and following up on your doctor's advice, you should keep notes and inform your doctor of any changes. Listen to your body and report any changes, good or bad, to your medical team. Proper treatment for any of these health conditions is a joint effort between you and your doctors.

1. Cardiovascular disease: This is a particularly scary health condition. Let’s face it -- the heart is a critically important organ, and the blood vessels are an essential system for sustaining life. Heart attack, heart failure, stroke, arrhythmia and heart valve disorders all fall into the category of cardiovascular disease, and each of these conditions indeed can be life threatening.

Symptoms can vary widely, and each type of cardiovascular condition maintains its own unique set of attributes. For example, many people understand that chest pain can signal a heart attack. Anyone who has experienced chest pain can attest to this fact. If you experience chest pain accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, pressure, dizziness or nausea, you may be having a heart attack and should seek emergency medical care immediately. Heart attack victims often survive their first episode and can live full and healthy lives afterward. But proper healthcare, medication and lifestyle changes are required to help ensure that a second heart attack does not occur.


Stroke victims suffer blood clots that block the blood vessels feeding the brain, and they experience a different set of potential symptoms from those having a heart attack. Symptoms of stroke can include dizziness, numbness or pain in the arms, legs or face, difficulty walking or talking, and feelings of confusion. Stroke can cause long-term or permanent disability, but many stroke victims experience a full recovery. Seeking medical attention immediately after onset of symptoms can greatly increase the likelihood that a full recovery will be possible.

Some types of heart disease are congenital and exist from birth. People with congenital heart disease need to maintain an ongoing relationship with a health care team that will monitor care, follow up, and help ensure all lifestyle and therapy directions are understood.

2. Blood in the urine: Seeing blood in the toilet when you pee can be scary. In fact, blood where there shouldn’t be blood is always scary. But blood in the urine can be particularly alarming and can signal conditions that require medical intervention. Kidney stones can cause blood in the urine and are often accompanied by side or back pain. While kidney stones sometimes pass through the urethra on their own, you may need to seek medical help to resolve this painful condition. Blood in the urine also could be the sign of a bladder or kidney infection. These conditions carry additional symptoms that include burning when urinating, frequent need to urinate or lower back pain. Fever is a sign that you may have a more serious infection. Medical attention and proper care and medication are usually required to resolve these types of infections. Finally, bladder or kidney cancer can cause blood in the urine, and for this reason, any sign of blood when you pee should warrant a trip to the doctor.

3. Breathing problems: Any sign of wheezing should send you to the doctor as soon as possible. Breathing difficulties are a scary experience and can be the sign of more serious health conditions. Wheezing can become very serious if not treated and can result in death in some instances if left ignored. Lung disease, severe allergies, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, exposure to toxins, or even cancer can cause wheezing or breathing problems. Your doctor can conduct appropriate tests and establish a care plan to manage any of these conditions. However, timely and ongoing treatment is a key element to maintaining your health.
   

4. Leg pain: While exercise can cause muscle soreness and injuries also can cause pain, unexpected and unexplained tenderness or pain in the back of your lower leg can be the sign of something more ominous. Deep vein thrombosis (or a blood clot in the leg) is a scary health condition that can lead to serious health consequences such as stroke or even premature death. A blood clot can develop while you are in a seated position for a long period of time, such as on an extended plane ride. People who are restricted to bed rest are also at an elevated risk for blood clots in the leg. Swelling and pain when standing or walking often are symptoms of blood clots in the legs. Immediate medical care is required if you suspect a blood clot in your leg.

5. Suicidal thoughts: For obvious reasons, suicidal thoughts are a scary health condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Suicidal thoughts are often a side effect of depression or other medical conditions and need to be treated as soon as possible upon their appearance. If you experience suicidal thoughts, go directly to a hospital emergency room or psychiatric facility. You can call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free service that is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

There are many other serious health conditions that can seem like life or death matters. In some cases, they actually are. This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you feel you exhibit any of the symptoms for any of the conditions listed above, seek medical help as soon as you can.