What Is Cardiac Fatigue?
- Posted on: Mar 28 2024
Your heart is a muscle that can get worn out and underperform just like any other muscle in your body. When this happens, you experience something called cardiac fatigue.
Cardiac fatigue is an umbrella term that can be connected to many different conditions. Depending on your diagnosis and pre-existing health conditions, it may pop up periodically or be chronic.
It’s important to know what’s happening in your heart so you can prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiac events. Learn more about the root causes of cardiac fatigue.
How Feeling Chronically Exhausted Can Signal Heart Trouble
Chronic fatigue is a sign that something in your body is working overtime. Often, it’s your heart. If you feel tired no matter how much sleep you get, it could be a sign of cardiac fatigue.
The Link Between Fatigue and Cardiac Function
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your body. When something is “off” with your heart’s pumping machinery, you’re bound to notice. Insufficient circulation can make your heart work harder and lead to chronic exhaustion.
Think about it: when you exercise, your heart beats faster and harder. By the end of your workout, you probably feel exhausted. Cardiac fatigue caused by heart health problems is no different — your heart is working hard to keep up with your body functions.
Your blood carries oxygen and essential nutrients to every organ you have. If this blood flow becomes compromised, it makes sense that you’d feel worn out. Your body tissues can become damaged and die from a lack of oxygen and proper blood flow.
Cardiac Fatigue and More: Symptoms of Heart Conditions
Several different heart conditions can cause cardiac fatigue. What heart conditions list cardiac fatigue as a symptom? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, but you can stay informed and be on the lookout.
Congestive Heart Failure
Over time, your heart can become inefficient at receiving and pumping blood. When your heart is unable to circulate the amount of blood in your body, it leads to congestive heart failure. This is a progressive heart condition that can be fatal if left untreated.
As congestive heart failure progresses, blood builds up in various areas of your body. You may experience swelling, unusual bloating, and shortness of breath.
Constant fatigue is an early symptom of this dangerous condition. Often, a cardiologist will check for congestive heart failure first if you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is another serious condition that can cause chronic fatigue. The arteries that transport blood to and from your heart become blocked, which leads to insufficient blood flow. This usually happens when plaque builds up in your arteries.
You may experience chronic fatigue if you have coronary artery disease. Insufficient blood flow affects all of your body systems. As a result, your heart has to work harder to circulate blood.
This disease can result from poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. Lifestyle changes can often prevent coronary artery disease from worsening.
Don’t Ignore Chronic Fatigue: Heart Disease Is a Killer
Heart disease worsens over time. You might be tempted to ignore chronic fatigue and exhaustion, but this isn’t wise. You only get one heart, and your body relies on it to survive and thrive.
The early warning signs of heart disease are often subtle. Check for these symptoms along with chronic fatigue:
- Chest pain and tightness
- Wheezing and coughing
- Swelling
- Abdominal bloating
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Exercise intolerance
You don’t have to face these concerning symptoms alone. Schedule an appointment with an experienced cardiologist to rule out heart disease.
Prevent Cardiac Fatigue With Regular Cardiologist Visits
You can help prevent major heart problems with regular check-ups. Our skilled cardiologist can identify concerning symptoms and come up with a treatment plan for you. Visit Cardiovascular Wellness in the Lake Success and Hicksville areas of Nassau County, NY, to protect your heart health.
Posted in: Heart Health
