Do Heart Problems Cause Fatigue

Can I Experience Heart Palpitations During Panic Attacks

The startle effect releases substances in the body such as adrenaline which cause the heart rate to increase and the heart to beat more vigorously, creating a sensation of panic, heart pounding and heart racing. This is the experience of becoming aware of a natural or normal functioning of the nervous system. Anxiety, panic, and startling cause the adrenaline level to rise and create the sensation of palpitation.

Discuss Your Heart Disease Risk Factors & What You Can Do To Help Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease With Our Womens Health Care Team

When it comes to heart disease, women not only may experience different symptoms, but also different risk factors. For example, after menopause, your risk for heart disease increases, likely due to hormone changes. Some pregnancy complications can also be risk factors for heart disease, as well as conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary disease.

Some other things that may increase your risk for heart disease include:

Our womens health care professionals are here to help address your health as a whole. During your appointment, well talk about your history and risk factors and help guide you on things you can do to lower your risk for heart disease. If youre feeling excessively tired, well help you find underlying causes of your symptom. Our providers listen and then help you with individualized treatment plans.

Chronic Fatigue Linked To Heart Problems

The exact cause of chronic fatigue is unknown. However, there is a link between heart problems in patients with chronic fatigue. Issues such as left ventricular dysfunction are common in patients with chronic fatigue. This occurs when the main chamber of the heart that pumps blood is weak, lessening the volume of blood your heart can pump. Fatigue that gets worse with exertion is a common symptom.

If youve been experiencing unusual fatigue, even if you havent been diagnosed with heart problems, its wise to report your symptoms to a health care provider and have an evaluation of your heart function.

To learn more, visit Dr. Suri at West Coast Medicine and Cardiology. Call our Fremont or Hayward, California, office to schedule an appointment. You can also send the team a message here on our website.

You May Like: Is There A Cure For Adrenal Fatigue

Could Heart Palpitations Accompanied By Shortness Of Breath Be Serious

Heart palpitations can certainly be associated with shortness of breath, that is, the two symptoms together without a serious condition being present. That usually indicates that the irregularity of the heart rhythm is significant and may signal the need for a more comprehensive evaluation.

In general, the more serious the symptoms, such as lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, chest pain, shortness of breath, the more seriously one needs to take the problem.

If a patient has known heart disease such as a previous myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure , hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , and others, the symptoms of palpitations will require a thorough evaluation.

Dont Miss: Shortness Of Breath And Muscle Fatigue

Fluid Retention: What It Can Mean For Your Heart

Fluid buildup indicates worsening heart failure. Learn how to spot it and treat it early.

The buildup of excess fluid in your body can take a variety of forms from belly bloating and swollen ankles to nausea, persistent coughing and fatigue. You may be tempted initially to dismiss this hodgepodge of problems as having little to do with your heart. However, they all signal water retention, which can mean trouble for people with a history of heart failure.

“Fluid buildup can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation,” says Dr. Eldrin Lewis, a heart failure specialist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Heart failure may start with injury from a heart attack or develop as a result of damaged valves, infection or disease of the heart muscle cells. Many times, it is the product of years of toil against high blood pressure and clogged arteries. Regardless of what triggers the decline, heart failure culminates in a progressive weakening of your heart’s power to pump.

Consequently, blood circulates through your heart and body more slowly your cells thirst for fresh oxygen and nutrients. To compensate for its weakened state, the heart undergoes a series of structural transformations. Other physical processes also come into play. When the kidneys detect the diminished blood flow, they activate hormones that prompt the body to retain fluid and sodium in an effort to boost the volume of blood in circulation.

You May Like: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Clinical Trials

Other Methods Of Reducing Heart Rate Fears

Its can be challenging to directly control your heart rate. But you can control the way that you react to it. One helpful coping strategy is to exercise. Being physically active actually lowers your general resting heart rate in the long term, but in such cases your heart becomes much more efficient overall. Exercise is also a great-way of combating anxiety. With exercise, therefore, youll be less likely to have a slowed pulse thats anxiety related and you can be more confident that your low resting heart-rate is actually a sign of your physical health, rather than any possible problem.

Seeing a doctor is obviously a good idea as well. Ruling out the most likely medical causes of a low heart rate may not calm you down completely especially if you still struggle with anxiety but it may well give you some peace of mind that your low heart rate is not related to any medical concerns.

Beyond that, try to stop searching on the net for ways to make sense of your low heart rate. Online, youll find countless explanations for a low heart rate and you may convince yourself that youre suffering from a more serious issue, even if youre medically healthy and well.

Finally, learn to control your overall anxiety. The less anxiety you experience, the less youll focus on your heart. The less time you spend worrying about your heart, the less likely you are to experience a low heart rate as a result of anxiety.

Was this article helpful?

Can I Prevent Heart Palpitations At Night

You may not be able to prevent heart palpitations at night, but you can lower your risk. You should:

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, especially before bed. If you smoke, talk to your provider about a plan to quit smoking.
• Dont eat a big meal right before you go to bed.
• Get treatment for anxiety or depression. Talk to your provider about antidepressant medication and therapy.
• Take steps to reduce stress on a daily basis. Try meditation, yoga,diaphragmatic breathing and other relaxation techniques.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you carry extra weight or have obesity, ask your provider about a weight loss plan.

Recommended Reading: Mega Comfort Anti Fatigue Insoles

Recommended Reading: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Brain Fog Treatment

What Are Heart Palpitations

Most of the time you wont notice your heartbeat, but if you suddenly become aware of it, this may concern you or come as a surprise. The feeling of being aware of your heart beating is described as a palpitation.

Palpitations can range from simply being aware of your hearts activity to the sensation of it beating faster and harder than usual. It can sometimes feel like your heart is missing beats or you have a heart flutter.

Changes to your heartbeat are usually not serious. But always see your doctor if you have palpitations or feel you have an irregular heart beat.

Dial triple zero if you have heart palpitations along with these symptoms:

• severe shortness of breath

Also Check: Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Fatigue

How To Tell If Your Breathlessness Is Being Caused By A Heart Problem

Breathlessness is a very common symptom and may be caused by underlying heart disease. Apart from heart disease, breathlessness can be caused by several other conditions. These include being unfit, being overweight, and even just getting older. Other important causes include anemia and lung disease.

In this article, I will discuss how you can work out if the breathlessness could be caused by underlying heart problems.

Breathlessness caused by heart disease is usually worse on exertion than it is at rest. If your breathlessness is worse at rest than it is on exercise then it is highly unlikely that it is due to an underlying heart condition. Heart disease is significantly more prevalent in older patients than in younger patients unless there is a history of congenital heart disease.

Common heart conditions which can cause breathlessness include:

Common causes of heart failure include previous heart attacks, a virus causing the heart to weaken and excessive alcohol intake causing heart muscle dysfunction.

I would recommend the following tests to ensure that your breathless is not being caused by an underlying heart disease.

You May Like: How To Deal With Adrenal Fatigue Naturally

Diagnostic Tests To Determine Heart Attack Risk

If there is a worry that the heart is involved, you may undergo a screening test known as an electrocardiogram, or EKG. This recording of the hearts electrical activity can give information regarding not only heart rhythm problems but also heart artery disease and abnormalities in the heart chambers.

An abnormal EKG can mean many things, and not all of them are negative. Some people have a variation in their heart rhythm thats normal for them this will not affect their health now or in the future. But it can also indicate something more serious, like medication side effects, that your heart is beating too fast or slow, arrhythmia , and yes, sometimes a heart attack. If your provider believes there is a concern, youll know.

If an EKG is normal but your doctor still suspects a heart problem, he or she may order a stress test, which detects your hearts rhythm using electrodes taped to your chest while you exercise . This can help determine your risk of heart disease by looking at how much exercise it takes for the blood flow to your heart to decrease or for your hearts rhythm to become abnormal.

Depending on your doctors exam and analysis, youll likely receive one of three instructions:

Given the sometimes-confusing information that is out there, it makes sense to wonder if fatigue and heart attack are linked. If youre at all concerned, contact your health care provider to get to the bottom of it.

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.

Don’t Miss: Vitamins For Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This serious, long-term condition involves a lot more than just tiredness. People with CFS can also experience loss of memory/concentration, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, headaches, and more. Some heart-related abnormalities can indicate that you have CFS in fact, many with CFS have an unusually high heart rate and low blood pressure after standing for a while, but this may be more due to altered automatic nerve reflexes.

To be clear, CFS does not cause a heart attack. The symptom of fatigue may indicate heart artery disease, but it can also be a factor in other conditions, such as sleep disorders or thyroid problems. Thats why its best to see your provider before you panic and assume the worst.

Unexplained Aches Or Pains

The blockage of the blood supply to the heart muscle that occurs with coronary artery disease leads the heart to “cry out in pain” when it is asked to work harder. However, that pain is not always felt in the chest. Sometimes it is felt in the shoulders, arms, back, jaw, or abdomen. Particularly when pain in these locations occurs with exercise and disappears with rest, the pain could well be a sign of heart disease.

Read Also: Blue Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats

Reason : Are Beta Blockers Making You Tired

The anti-adrenaline effect of beta-blockers the very quality that makes them valuable for treating heart failure can make patients feel tired.

Most patients do not experience any side effects. But if you feel fatigued after starting your medicine, its important to do two things: Keep taking your medicine, and report your symptoms to your doctor. If you stop suddenly, you may risk having rebound adverse effects.

According to Dr. Taylor, understanding why beta-blockers must be taken often makes it easier to deal with this side effect. Once patients know the drug will improve their heart function, help them stay out of the hospital and live longer, most are willing to put up with a little fatigue, he says.

You and your physician can try to figure out if the symptoms are really a side effect or due to your heart problem or even possibly due to an unrelated condition such as sleep apnea. Usually, well adjust the medication dose or switch to an alternative medication and check if the side effects go away with time.

If he is able to wean the patient down or off the drug, and fatigue remains a problem, the beta-blocker is not to blame.

What You Should Do During A Heart Attack

If you think you are having a heart attack, you or someone nearby should call emergency services immediately. Its unsafe to drive yourself to the hospital during a heart attack, so call an ambulance. While you may feel awake and alert enough to drive, the chest pain could get so severe that you may have trouble breathing or difficulty thinking clearly.

Read Also: Blood Work For Chronic Fatigue

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 one of the many DFW CareNow® Urgent Care locations, with convenient Web Check-In® so you can wait in the comfort of your home.

Is Your Fatigue Related To Cardiovascular Issues

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.

Don’t Miss: Is There Medication For Chronic Fatigue

Fatigue And Heart Disease

One of the most common symptoms of heart disease is fatigue, often occurring with other symptoms like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, chest discomfort, and chest pain . Always fighting fatigue, wrote one MyHeartDiseaseTeam member. Another said, Today is another day I battle with fatigue.

Everyone feels exhausted from time to time. But fatigue goes beyond everyday tiredness, often having a significant impact on your ability to perform daily activities and on your overall quality of life. However, you and your health care provider or cardiology team can work together to find ways to manage the symptom. Here is what you need to know about fatigue in heart disease, including what causes it and how it can be managed.

Could Chronic Fatigue Mean Im At Risk Of A Heart Attack

Ever wonder why you have to fill out an intake form with symptoms and updates to your medical history every time you come in for an appointment? Your responses can help your provider zero in on what may be linked to the primary reason you came in, even if these seemingly innocuous questions dont mean that much to you. If you report fatigue, your provider may ask when it comes on, how often you feel fatigued, and how much it impairs your ability to complete everyday tasks.

For instance, if you feel tired all the time and struggle to complete daily activities that were once easy for you, like carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or walking, that may be a sign of something more serious. It could mean that your heart cant pump enough blood to meet your bodys demands. Your body first sends blood to the most vital organs , meaning that others, especially muscles in your limbs, move down the priority list. This could explain why some cases of fatigue indicate a heart concern.

If your doctor has any concern that your fatigue could be linked to something more serious than general tiredness, he or she can delve further, possibly through diagnostic tests or referring you to a specialist. If you are diagnosed with CFS, you doctor should monitor your heart health as a part of your ongoing treatment plan for the condition.

You May Like: Chronic Fatigue And Stomach Problems