Experiencing fatigue after everyday tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries is often attributed to stress, ageing, or lack of fitness. However, cardiologists caution that persistent tiredness during such routine activities might indicate an underlying heart condition, especially if the fatigue worsens over time. A potential culprit could be a heart valve disorder, where the heart’s valves become narrow, stiff, or leaky, forcing the heart to exert more effort to maintain blood flow. This extra workload can diminish oxygen supply to muscles and organs, causing constant tiredness even with minimal exertion.
Common valve-related issues include aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation, which can restrict blood flow or allow it to leak backward, impairing the heart’s efficiency. Unlike fatigue from stress or poor sleep, heart-related tiredness persists even after rest and can progressively disrupt daily activities. Health professionals advise being alert to accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath during light activities, chest pressure, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, swelling in the lower extremities or abdomen, and fainting episodes.
Experts note that heart valve problems often go unnoticed initially, as the heart compensates by working harder. Symptoms typically emerge during physical exertion, leading many to mistakenly attribute them to ageing or poor fitness. While older adults with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of rheumatic fever are at increased risk, younger individuals can also face valve issues due to congenital defects or infections.
Regular medical evaluations are crucial for early detection, as valve disorders might initially present as a heart murmur during a check-up, warranting further tests like echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, or CT scans. Treatment varies based on the condition’s severity; mild cases may only require observation and lifestyle adjustments, while more severe instances might necessitate valve repair or replacement, including advanced minimally invasive procedures.