Doctor Warns That Constant Fatigue Might Be A Sign Of A Serious Hidden Condition

This condition is easy to overlook but should never be ignored

A medical expert has advised that persistent tiredness shouldn’t be brushed aside, as it could be an early warning sign of something more serious.

Yawning in a warm office or dozing off during a cozy Netflix binge is normal, but if exhaustion is becoming a constant companion in your daily life, there may be an underlying reason.

Dr. James Wetherby, a cardiologist, has highlighted that ongoing fatigue is one of the most frequently overlooked early symptoms of a potentially life-threatening condition—one that, if left untreated, could have severe consequences.

Sleepiness could be a warning sign if it is persistentGetty Stock Photo
The condition in question is heart failure, which occurs when the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.

Heart failure can develop suddenly, but in many cases, it progresses gradually over months or even years.

Research from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found that 40 percent of heart failure patients receive their diagnosis late.

One major reason for this delay is that people fail to recognize their symptoms as warning signs of something serious.

According to the BHF, heart failure affects the body’s functions, including breathing and muscle activity, leading to extreme fatigue.

One key symptom of heart failure is “feeling increasingly tired or weak at rest, which gets worse with movement,” according to the BHF.

Per Surrey Live, Dr. Wetherby further explained: “When your heart is under strain, it struggles to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the muscles and tissues, leaving you feeling utterly drained.”

Fatigue caused by heart failure varies from person to person. Professor Julia Newton, a consultant geriatrician with over two decades of experience in fatigue research and treatment, explained: “For some people, fatigue is a constant presence, while for others, it comes and goes.”

While discussing fatigue with the BHF, Professor Newton added: “It can also be linked to symptoms like brain fog and muscle aches.”

Heart failure is when you heart fails to pump blood as it shouldGetty Stock Photo
“Essentially fatigue is the overwhelming feeling of lacking energy. People often describe it as a battery running out. They might start the day with a full battery, but it runs down too quickly.”

“Another common sign of fatigue is when people wake up feeling just as exhausted as they did yesterday, even after sleeping reasonably well.”

The BHF advises that if you experience persistent fatigue or any other symptoms linked to heart failure, it’s crucial to consult a doctor.

Symptoms of heart failure should be checked by a doctorGetty Stock Photo
In addition to fatigue, there are four other primary symptoms to watch out for:

  • Feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Developing a persistent cough
  • Experiencing shortness of breath, whether active or at rest
  • Swelling in the feet and ankles, which may extend to the lower body

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