Experiencing fatigue after routine tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries is often dismissed as a result of stress, ageing, or poor fitness. However, cardiologists caution that persistent tiredness during these activities might indicate an underlying heart issue. A common culprit is a heart valve disorder, where valves become narrow, stiff, or leaky, forcing the heart to exert more effort to circulate blood, which in turn can lead to reduced oxygen supply and ongoing fatigue.
Heart valve problems such as aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation can restrict or cause blood to leak backward, impairing the heart’s efficiency. Unlike fatigue from stress or lack of sleep, which usually improves with rest, heart-related fatigue often persists after physical activity and can progressively disrupt daily life. Accompanying symptoms might include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and swelling in the extremities or abdomen, making it crucial to pay attention to these warning signs.
These heart valve issues often remain undetected in their early stages because the heart initially compensates by working harder. As a result, symptoms typically emerge during physical exertion, leading many to mistake them for normal signs of ageing or poor fitness. Individuals, particularly older adults with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of heart infections, are at an increased risk of developing valve disorders. Nonetheless, younger individuals can also be affected due to congenital defects or infections.
Regular medical check-ups are advocated by doctors for the early detection of heart valve problems. During examinations, a heart murmur may indicate the presence of such issues, prompting further testing with echocardiograms, ECGs, stress tests, or CT scans. Treatment varies based on the severity of the condition, ranging from monitoring and lifestyle changes for mild cases to valve repair or replacement for more serious cases, with newer minimally invasive procedures available as options.