Thursday, March 21, 2024

Can Heart Issues Cause Fatigue

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Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

COVID fatigue can affect your heart health

Not all heart attacks are alike

Did you know that you can have a heart attack without feeling any chest pain? Heart failure and heart disease dont show the same signs for everyone, especially women.

The heart is a muscle that contracts to pump blood throughout the body. A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle doesnt get enough blood. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. When there isnt enough blood flowing to your heart muscle, the affected part can get damaged or die. This is dangerous and sometimes deadly.

Heart attacks happen suddenly, but they normally result from long-standing heart disease. Typically, a waxy plaque builds up on the walls inside your blood vessels that feed the heart muscle. Sometimes a chunk of the plaque, called a blood clot, breaks off and prevents blood from passing through the vessel to your heart muscle, resulting in a heart attack.

Less commonly, something like stress, physical exertion, or cold weather causes the blood vessel to contract or spasm, which decreases the amount of blood that can get to your heart muscle.

There are many risk factors that contribute to having a heart attack, including:

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Its really important to listen to what your body is telling you if you think you might be having one. Its better to seek emergency medical treatment and be wrong than to not get help when youre having a heart attack.

The Clues Can Be Subtle: Monty’s Recliner

Monty is 75 years old, and his doctor had noted his heart murmur several years ago. He recently went to visit his son David for a few days.

  • Each night Monty would go to bed in the guest bedroom and the next morning David would find him sleeping in the family room recliner.
  • David asked if he was unable to get comfortable in the bed, and Monty replied that he felt unable to get a deep breath when lying down and the recliner seemed to help.
  • Monty insists that its not a problem, but David wonders if he should urge him to check in with his health care provider.

Would you recognize this behavior as a possible sign of valve disease progression?

How Is Heart Valve Disease Treated

A heart valve problem can be serious if its not treated. Although you cant undo damage to a heart valve, you can treat the issue.

Heart valve disease treatments depend on the underlying cause and may include:

  • Protecting your valve from further damage.
  • Taking medications.
  • Having surgery or invasive procedures if necessary.
  • Seeing your heart doctor for regular visits.

The decision to prescribe medical treatment, surgical repair or surgical replacement depends on several factors, including:

  • The type of valve disease.
  • The severity of the damage.
  • Your age.
  • Your medical history.

If youre pregnant and have heart valve disease, you can get extra rest and/or take certain medicines that are safe for your baby.

If you know about your valve disease before pregnancy, you should ask your healthcare provider if any tests or visits with a cardiologist are recommended before trying to become pregnant. This can help ensure that you are treated appropriately before and during pregnancy. If you have a severe valve problem, your doctor may recommend valve repair or replacement before pregnancy.

Surgical repair or replacement

Heart valve disease is a mechanical problem in the opening or closing of the leaflets, and you may eventually need surgery to repair or replace your valve. Some infants and children who are born with a valve problem need surgery during childhood.

Often, valve surgery may be combined with other procedures to fully treat your heart disease.

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Symptoms Not Always Obvious

As a health care community, I think that weve done a really bad job of treating women, Dr. Jennifer Haythe, co-director of the Womens Center for Cardiovascular Health at Columbia University Medical Center, told TODAY. We tend to write off womens symptoms as theyre having a panic attack, theyre anxious.

Still, predicting a heart attack before it happens can be difficult. Many men and women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms, according to the CDC.

Some people will say it was out of the blue, and thats probably most people, said Dr. Sharonne Hayes, director of the Womens Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic. A substantial minority of patients will have some symptoms that, had they paid attention to them or sought an outpatient evaluation, they might have had a different outcome.

Potential heart attack symptoms can be subtle. Here are five signs you should never ignore:

Is Your Fatigue Related To Cardiovascular Issues

Rapid fatigue can be symptom of heart valve disease!

Fatigue is an often-overlooked symptom of heart trouble. Symptoms like chest pain arent always noticeable, if present at all, in people with heart disease, and the absence of chest pain doesnt mean youre in the clear.

If you have unexplained symptoms, suspect that you have heart problems, or have risk factors for heart disease, its time to see a cardiologist.

Here at West Coast Medicine and Cardiology, cardiologist Dr. Rajesh Sam Suriand our team treat and manage a wide range of heart conditions. Raising awareness of the warning signs of heart trouble enables patients to take action early when heart issues are easier to treat.

Problems with the heart and circulatory system can cause a variety of symptoms, but patients most often relate classic symptoms like chest pain or palpitations with heart issues. In general, many illnesses can cause fatigue, but persistent, unexplained fatigue may be a sign of heart problems.

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Cardiac Abnormalities Linked To Me/cfs

Chronic fatigue syndrome involves a lot more than fatigue. In addition to a few dozen possible symptoms, this disease is also linked to certain heart abnormalities. Does that mean you have to worry about developing heart disease? Not necessarily. However, you should watch out for signs of heart disease and do what you can to lower your risk.

The incident rate of heart disease is higher in people with ME/CFS than in the general population, and the association may be more than incidental.

Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Heart Disease

Heart disease often develops over time. You may have early signs or symptoms long before you have serious heart problems. Or, you may not realize you are developing heart disease. The warning signs of heart disease may not be obvious. Also, not every person has the same symptoms.

Certain symptoms, such as chest pain, ankle swelling, and shortness of breath may be signals that something is wrong. Learning the warning signs can help you get treatment and help prevent a heart attack or stroke.

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When To See A Doctor

Fatigue can be a symptom of many different health problems. Its important to pay attention to other symptoms you may have. This will help your doctor start to pinpoint the cause and look for a solution.

Feeling exhausted all of the time isnt a normal condition. Its not an inevitable sign of getting older or of having young children in the house. If youve been feeling tired and weak for several weeks, see your doctor.

A little heartburn once in a while is common. It can occur due to certain combinations of food and beverage. If you experience heartburn at least a few times per month, tell your primary care doctor or see a gastroenterologist.

If symptoms of GERD are keeping you awake, treatments are available to ease your symptoms, and allow you to relax and sleep better at night.

How Can I Take Care Of Myself With A Leaky Heart Valve

Adrenal Fatigue, Cortisol Rhythm and Heart Disease

A leaky valve can contribute to heart failure and cardiac arrest. So you should take good care of yourself to improve your overall heart health. The following lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms and prevent more serious heart problems:

  • Avoid alcohol, smoking and illegal drugs.
  • Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet, avoiding too much salt or fat.
  • Exercise: Start slowly, and always warm up and cool down.
  • Follow your treatment plan carefully, including getting all tests that were ordered and taking all medications as prescribed.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce stress and get plenty of rest.

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Can A Heart Murmur Cause Fatigue

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Keeping this in view, when should I be concerned about a heart murmur?

Most heart murmurs aren’t serious, but if you think you or your child has a heart murmur, make an appointment to see your family doctor. Your doctor can tell you if your heart murmur is innocent and doesn’t require any further treatment or if an underlying heart problem needs to be further examined.

Also, what happens if you have a heart murmur? A heart murmur is an unusual sound heard between heartbeats. Murmurs may be harmless, also called innocent, or abnormal. Harmless murmurs may not cause symptoms and can happen when blood flows more rapidly than normal through the heart such as during exercise, pregnancy, or rapid growth in children.

In respect to this, how serious is a heart murmur?

Heart murmurs usually result from an abnormal blood flow through the heart. A heart valve that’s not working correctly typically causes the murmur sound. Heart murmurs are classified as either âinnocentâ or âabnormal.â Innocent heart murmurs aren’t dangerous and generally require no medical intervention.

What heart conditions cause fatigue?

Fatigue. Fatigue can be caused by many illnesses and by medicines. But a constant, new fatigue also can sometimes signal heart failure or coronary artery disease. “It’s less common as an indication of coronary artery disease, but it can be,” Dr.

Surprising Body Cues That Could Be A Heart Concern

The classic signs of heart troublechest tightness, pressure or painare far from its only signals. People often fail to connect other symptoms theyre experiencing to their actual cause: the heart. This can result in failing to get the help they need for an emergency heart issue, like heart attack or stroke, or a critical delay in getting possible heart disease diagnosed and treated.

Most people know their bodies better than any doctor does. In general, if you constantly feel something isnt right or isn’t what youre used to, that warrants medical attention, says Parag Joshi, M.D., a cardiology fellow with the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease.

Your whole body can be involved in sending the message that somethings wrong with your heart.

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Meet Your Mitral Valve

Your mitral valve makes sure that blood flows smoothly from your hearts upper left chamber into your lower left chamber , which then pumps oxygenated blood throughout your body. If there is a structural problem with this valve, small amounts of blood can flow back into the left atrium, a condition known as mitral regurgitation. The valve can also become narrowed and not open properly . Over time, these malfunctions can become life-threatening.

Heart valve disease, irregular heart rhythms and diseases of the coronary arteries can be interconnected, explains Anupama Shivaraju, MD, interventional cardiologist and structural heart program director at AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago. Sometimes fixing one might help another. For example, repairing the mitral valve can significantly reduce the risk of persistent atrial fibrillation , which can cause a fatal stroke.

Reason : When + What You Eat Matters

Women and Heart Attacks

Its no secret that heart failure can steal your appetite. The food choices you make, as well as your eating habits, can affect your energy level and quality of life.

Here, preventive cardiology dietitian , offers 8 tips for adopting a heart-healthy diet:

  • Limit salt. Unhealthy foods will worsen how you feel, Zumpano says. You want to follow a low-salt diet. Salt causes fluid retention, and your fatigue will worsen.
  • Eliminate added sugar. If you are already restricting salt intake, make sure you are eating high-quality carbohydrates, such as whole grains. Eliminate added sugar in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages, jelly, syrup, candy, baked goods and desserts. Its tempting to reach for sugary treats for the quick energy they provide, but in the long run, they will cause your blood sugar to drop and youll feel more tired, Zumpano explains.
  • Eat more fruits and veggies. Load up on whole fruits and vegetables. They contain fiber, which detoxifies the body and helps eliminate excess fluid.
  • Give up foods that come in a box, bag or can. Processed foods can make you feel run-down, she says.
  • Watch out for caffeine. Because caffeine causes dehydration, which leads to fatigue, watch the amount of caffeine you drink. Replace caffeinated beverages with plain water, flavored carbonated water or herbal teas.
  • This article was adapted from Cleveland Clinic Heart Advisor.

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    Knowing The Red Flags That Signal Heart Disease Can Help You Get Diagnosed And Treated As Soon As Possible

    by Health Writer

    Maybe youve been feeling unusually fatigued or a bit out of breath lately. Or, maybe theres an occasional pain in your chest that goes away when you lie down. Perhaps youve noticed swelling in your legs and feet, or your heart sometimes races or beats erratically. These symptoms can indicate some form of heart disease. Well help you learn what to look out forand which symptoms to never ignore. Your job: Talk to your doctor, stat, about your concerns so you can be screened for heart diseasewhich just might save your life.

    When You’re Tired Of Being Tired

    If fatigue is affecting your quality of life, its time to talk to your doctor. Tracking your daily sleep and activity levels can help you present him or her with a better overall picture of your condition, especially if your symptoms are vague. If you don’t have a fitness or smartwatch, consider downloading a phone app like Sharecare, available for iOS and Android.

    Medical City Healthcare provides comprehensive emergency services across North Texas.

    At Medical City Healthcare, we’re dedicated to the care and improvement of human life. So, we hope you’ll Take Care!

    For more information, call our Ask a Nurse hotline 24/7 or use Find a Doctor online.

    You can also get care for minor injuries or illness at CareNow Urgent Care or visit Medical City Virtual Care for non-emergency medical treatment from your computer or smartphone.

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    High Blood Pressure And Fatigue

    High blood pressure can make your heart work harder and increase your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. either have high blood pressure or take medications to treat it. Your risk for high blood pressure increases with age.

    High blood pressure is another condition that may make you feel extremely tired. Though high blood pressure is often called a silent killer, because it often doesnt cause any symptoms, some people do feel extreme fatigue. Some signs you might have high blood pressure include fatigue, lightheadedness, feeling weak, and shortness of breath.

    Also, you can also feel extremely tired due to heart conditions that may be caused by high blood pressure. For example, high blood pressure can lead to coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and enlarged heart, all of which may cause fatigue.

    When you come in for a health assessment from our womens health care providers, we screen for many different conditions to help find underlying causes of your symptoms. We check your blood pressure and can help you find treatment solutions to reduce your blood pressure and the serious risks associated with it.

    Possible Heart Symptoms Never To Ignore

    Breathing problems, fatigue , dizziness – Common signs of Heart valve disease (Aortic Stenosis)

    If you notice any of the symptoms discussed in this slide show, see your doctor or go to an emergency department right away. If you have any risk factors for heart disease it is especially important to pay attention to your body and get any symptoms checked out by a doctor. Getting prompt medical attention may save your life!

    REFERENCES:

    • American Heart Association: Warning Signs of Heart Failure.
    • Anxiety and Depression Association of America : How Can I Tell If Im Having a Panic Attack Or a Heart Attack?

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    What Is An Abnormal Amount Of Fatigue

    While even a week of feeling drained is typical at times, fatigue that lasts longer than a week or two without improvement or explanation is a sign of an underlying health issue. If you frequently wake up feeling exhausted after sleeping soundly through the night, have difficulty completing simple tasks, or unintentionally fall asleep throughout the day regularly, it is highly likely that you are experiencing an abnormal amount of fatigue, for which you should speak to a doctor about treatment.

    When To Get Medical Advice

    See your GP if you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure.

    The symptoms can be caused by other, less serious conditions, so it’s a good idea to get them checked out.

    Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency department as soon as possible if you have sudden or very severe symptoms.

    This is a medical emergency that may require immediate treatment in hospital.

    Page last reviewed: 26 October 2018 Next review due: 26 October 2021

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    Chronically Tired Fatigue May Be A Sign Of Heart Problems

    Heart disease is one of the number one killers in the United States. Our womens health care providers are here to help you stay healthy. Thats why were spreading the word about a subtle, but dangerous sign that you could have heart disease: fatigue.

    Fatigue can stop you in your tracks and even signal serious problems like heart disease. Feeling abnormally tired? Talk to our womens health care provider.

    Many of us mistakenly believe that heart disease is mainly a concern for men. However, women are also at risk for this serious health condition.

    Here are some quick facts on heart disease in women:

    • Heart disease is responsible for 1 in every 5 female deaths
    • 1 in 16 women 20 years old or older have coronary artery disease

    Women often experience different symptoms of heart disease than men, which can make it hard to notice early warning signs. If youre experiencing unexplained tiredness and fatigue, come to our womens health clinicto help find the root of the problem.

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