Experiencing exhaustion from everyday activities like climbing stairs or carrying groceries is often attributed to factors such as stress, ageing, or lack of sleep. However, cardiologists caution that persistent fatigue during these routine tasks might indicate an underlying heart issue. Specifically, they point to potential heart valve disorders, which can cause the heart to work harder and reduce the oxygen supply to muscles and organs, resulting in ongoing tiredness even with minimal exertion.
Heart valve disorders, such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation, involve problems with the heart’s four valves, which help direct blood flow. When these valves become narrow, stiff, or leaky, the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently, causing fatigue that differs from typical tiredness. Unlike fatigue from stress or poor sleep, heart-related fatigue does not necessarily improve with rest and can progressively impact daily life.
Medical experts advise paying attention to additional symptoms that may accompany this fatigue, such as shortness of breath during light activities or while lying down, chest discomfort, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, swelling in the feet or abdomen, and episodes of fainting. Such symptoms often go unnoticed initially, as the heart compensates by working harder until physical exertion reveals the problem. Consequently, these signs are sometimes mistaken for normal ageing or poor fitness.
While older adults with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of heart infections are more susceptible to valve disorders, younger individuals are not immune, as congenital defects or infections can also lead to these issues. Regular health check-ups are crucial for early detection, and heart valve problems might first be identified through a heart murmur during an examination. Further tests, including echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, or CT scans, may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition. Mild cases might only require monitoring and lifestyle adjustments, whereas more serious situations could necessitate valve repair or replacement. Recent advancements have introduced minimally invasive procedures as potential treatment options for these heart issues.