A Warning Sign from the Heart: Why Persistent Fatigue Shouldn’t Be Ignored

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Man and woman clutching chest in discomfort, illustrating early warning signs of heart disease such as fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Do you ever feel unusually tired even without much exertion? This symptom may not simply be due to work stress or lack of sleep—it could be an early warning sign of heart disease. The risk is especially concerning if it occurs alongside other symptoms such as shortness of breath during activity, chest pain or tightness, palpitations, dizziness or fainting, difficulty lying flat, or waking at night gasping for air.

Unexplained fatigue, especially when lying down, may indicate several heart conditions, including:

  1. Heart Failure – Occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, especially during exertion or when lying flat.
  2. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – Caused by narrowed coronary arteries that restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. Patients may feel tired or experience chest tightness during activity. In severe cases, it can result in a sudden blockage of a coronary artery, causing myocardial ischemia.
  3. Valvular Heart Disease – Narrowing (stenosis) or leakage (regurgitation) of the heart valves disrupts blood flow, forcing the heart to work harder and causing fatigue and shortness of breath.
  4. Heart Arrhythmia – An abnormally fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat reduces the heart’s pumping efficiency, resulting in fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.
  5. Cardiomyopathy– A disease that causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick or weak, impairing its pumping function and potentially leading to fatigue and heart failure.

Because “unusual fatigue” may be an early sign of heart disease, it is essential to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment tailored to the underlying condition.

For more information, please contact

Cardiac Center, Vejthani International Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000  Ext. 5300

Make an Appointment Talk to Doctor
Learn about Vejthani International Hospital

[email protected]

Medically Reviewed by

DR. SUPHASIT SATHITTRAKOOL
DR. SUPHASIT SATHITTRAKOOL

Cardiology

Cardiology - General

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