Feeling unusually tired after simple tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries might be more than just a sign of stress, ageing, or poor fitness. Cardiologists caution that persistent fatigue during everyday activities could indicate an underlying heart issue. One possible culprit is a heart valve disorder, where the heart must exert extra effort due to a malfunctioning valve. This can happen when a valve becomes narrow, stiff, or leaky, forcing the heart to work harder to maintain proper blood flow. As a result, there is a reduced oxygen supply to muscles and organs, leading to fatigue even after little exertion.
Examples of valve-related conditions include aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation, which can restrict blood flow or cause it to leak backward, compromising the heart’s efficiency. Unlike fatigue stemming from stress or lack of sleep, which generally improves with rest, heart-related fatigue may persist after activity and disrupt daily life over time. Health professionals advise being mindful of accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath during minimal activity or lying down, chest discomfort, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, swelling in extremities, and fainting episodes.
Often, heart valve problems go unnoticed initially because the heart compensates by working harder, with symptoms emerging primarily during physical exertion. Consequently, many attribute these signs to normal ageing or poor stamina. People at higher risk include older adults, particularly those with high blood pressure, diabetes, past heart infections, or a history of rheumatic fever. Valve issues aren’t limited to older adults; younger individuals can also be affected due to congenital defects or infections.
Regular medical check-ups are crucial for early detection of heart valve problems, which might first be identified through a heart murmur during a physical exam. Further diagnostic tools like echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, or CT scans may follow if necessary. Treatment varies according to the condition’s severity. Mild cases might just require monitoring and lifestyle adjustments, whereas severe cases could necessitate valve repair or replacement, including modern minimally invasive procedures.