Experiencing fatigue from simple activities like climbing stairs, walking short distances, or carrying groceries might not just be due to stress, ageing, or lack of fitness. Cardiologists caution that persistent or worsening tiredness could be an indication of a heart problem, specifically a heart valve disorder. The heart’s four valves ensure proper blood flow, and when they become narrowed, stiff, or leaky, the heart is forced to work harder, potentially leading to reduced oxygen supply to muscles and organs. This can result in constant fatigue, even with minimal exertion.
Conditions such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation exemplify valve-related issues where blood flow is compromised, impairing the heart’s efficiency. Unlike normal fatigue from stress or insufficient sleep, heart-related fatigue does not improve with rest and can progressively disrupt daily life. It’s important to watch for signs accompanying this fatigue, including shortness of breath during light activity or while lying down, chest discomfort, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, swelling in extremities, and fainting episodes.
Heart valve problems often remain undetected in their early stages as the heart compensates by working harder, making symptoms apparent only during physical exertion. Consequently, many dismiss these signs as mere effects of ageing or poor fitness. Older adults, particularly those with high blood pressure, diabetes, previous heart infections, or a history of rheumatic fever, are at greater risk for valve disorders. However, younger individuals can also face these issues due to congenital defects or infections.
Regular medical check-ups are crucial for early detection of heart valve problems, which might initially be discovered through a heart murmur during a physical examination. Further diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, or CT scans may be required. Treatment varies with severity; mild cases might only need monitoring and lifestyle adjustments, whereas more severe conditions could necessitate valve repair or replacement, including the latest minimally invasive procedures.