Our bodies often give us warning signs when something serious is wrong. While it’s natural to ignore symptoms or assume they’re minor, certain changes in your health can be red flags that something life-threatening is developing. Here are 7 signs that could indicate a serious condition or that your body is in critical decline.

1. Unexpected weight loss

Losing weight effortlessly may seem like a good thing, but it can actually be a serious warning sign. If you lose more than 5-10% of your body weight over a few months without making any changes to your diet or exercise, it could indicate problems like cancer (especially of the stomach, pancreas, lungs, or colon), chronic infections, or metabolic disorders like hyperthyroidism. Don’t ignore sudden or progressive weight loss—get it checked out.

2. Constant, extreme fatigue

We all feel tired from time to time, but persistent, overwhelming fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest can be a sign of something more serious. It can indicate heart disease, chronic kidney or liver problems, anemia, or certain types of cancer like leukemia. Fatigue that affects your ability to function on a daily basis isn’t normal—especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, or weakness.

3. Shortness of breath (especially at rest)

Difficulty breathing during light activity—or even at rest—is not just a sign that you’re out of shape. It could indicate heart failure, a lung condition (such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis), or a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). If your breathing feels difficult, shallow, or painful, you should seek emergency care, especially if it’s sudden and severe.

4. Chest pain or pressure

Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack, but it can also indicate angina, blood vessel problems, or inflammation around the heart or lungs. If the pain feels like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning—and especially if it spreads to your left arm, neck, jaw, or back—don’t delay. Immediate attention could save your life.

5. Sudden confusion or disorientation

Sudden changes in mental status—such as confusion, difficulty speaking, or memory loss—are often signs of a stroke, brain tumor, or severe infection (such as sepsis). In older people, even a urinary tract infection can cause acute confusion. If you or someone you know seems mentally altered or is acting strangely, don’t wait—call 911.