Unusual fatigue during routine activities like climbing stairs or carrying groceries may be more than just stress, ageing, or poor fitness; it could indicate an underlying heart issue, cardiologists caution. Persistent tiredness might signal a heart valve disorder, where one of the heart’s four valves becomes narrow, stiff, or leaky, forcing the heart to work harder to circulate blood. This extra effort can limit oxygen supply to muscles and organs, resulting in constant fatigue even after minimal exertion.
Heart valve conditions such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation are common culprits, where blood flow is either restricted or leaks backward, impairing cardiac efficiency. Unlike fatigue from stress or lack of sleep, which typically improves with rest, heart-related fatigue often persists after activity and can gradually disrupt daily life. Alongside fatigue, warning signs to watch for include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and swelling in the extremities or abdomen.
Experts note that heart valve issues frequently remain unnoticed in early stages because the heart compensates by working harder. Symptoms often become apparent only during physical exertion, leading many to mistakenly attribute them to normal ageing or low fitness levels. While older adults with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of rheumatic fever are at increased risk, younger individuals can also develop valve problems due to congenital defects or infections.
Regular health check-ups are vital for early detection. Heart valve disorders might be initially identified through a heart murmur discovered during an exam, prompting further tests like echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, or CT scans if necessary. Treatment for valve problems varies based on severity, ranging from monitoring and lifestyle adjustments for mild cases to valve repair or replacement, including newer minimally invasive procedures, for more serious conditions.