Health

In GTA games, health is the measurement of the physical condition of the game's protagonist. Its default maximum is 100%, but in some of the games in the series this can be extended, usually as a reward for completing some side mission.

Many things can damage the player's health: being shot, stabbed, or beaten, fire, explosives, being struck by a vehicle, drowning, being thrown from a vehicle, and falling from heights. When the player's health is completely depleted, the protagonist is considered "wasted", and is then transported to the nearest hospital, after which a fee for healthcare will be assessed, and all weapons confiscated. Any mission that may have been in progress at the time is considered as failed. Health can be replenished by picking up a health pickup, employing the services of a prostitute, or - in GTA San Andreas and GTA IV - by eating food or visiting a Save Point to save the game.

Health pickups restore the player's health to the maximum level. The health pickup appears in each separate game as a unique variaton on a general theme (a red heart), and can always be found at hospitals.

GTA III

 * Health pickups can be found in front of all hospitals and scattered throughout Liberty City, often in recreational areas such as rest stops, parks, and shopping centers. Employing the services of a prostitute also replenishes health to a possible total of 125%.

GTA Vice City
Health pickups appear in Vice City primarily in front of hospitals and replenish the player's health to maximum (default 100%, which can be extended to 200%). The player's maximum health can be increased by performing paramedic side missions.

GTA San Andreas
Health pickups appear in San Andreas during Gang Warfare and also during some long missions such as The Da Nang Thang. Health is replenished to maximum, which is a variable scale that can be increased by performing paramedic side missions and exercising (sprinting, swimming, or visiting a gym).

GTA IV
Health packs are found all over Liberty City, generally in out-of-the-way locales, and in subway stations. Hot dog stands are dotted around the city, and are great for replenishing health.