When to Call Your Care Team Instead

Some health concerns build slowly. Others come on fast, and they can be serious.

A slow concern fits a call to your care team. Sudden serious signs need emergency services right away. That means 911, or the emergency room (ER) at a hospital.

Your target is the blood sugar range your doctor sets for you. A single reading is one moment.

Call your care team when readings stay above your target. Call them too when lows keep coming back, even if you can treat them. Frequent lows below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) are not normal.

A pattern tells your team more than one reading can.

If you are unsure and symptoms are serious, call emergency services. In the US, that is 911. Do not drive yourself.

Chest pain, new shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, or slurred speech need emergency services. A sudden severe headache does too.

A low with a seizure, trouble swallowing, or loss of consciousness also needs emergency services.

Key takeaways

• Readings that stay above your target are a reason to call your care team.
• Lows that keep coming back, even when treated, belong with your care team too.
• Chest pain, trouble swallowing and slurred speech need emergency services.

Try it

Find your care team's phone and after-hours numbers, then save both in your phone.