Symptoms of Heart Disease: Fatigue

Fatigue is a distinguishing symptom in heart disease. It is also considered to be an early risk factor to take into account. In a recent study, people who experienced a heart attack had long periods of unexplained fatigue up to a whole month before their actual heart attack took place. By recognizing fatigue as a risk factor for heart disease, people can better seek the medical attention they need in order to diagnose as well as prevent further heart damage.

What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease claims more lives of Americans than any other disease. There are many forms of heart disease in which fatigue can be a symptom of. Some forms of heart disease include:

? Arteriosclerosis: This form of heart disease occurs when the arteries become thick with plaque made from cholesterol and fat deposits. This plaque attaches itself to the walls of the arteries, causing them to harden and become less flexible. A
? Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis occurs when fat deposits within the arteries cause them to narrow, reducing the amount of blood that reaches the heart.
? Angina: Angina is another term for chest pain and indicates the heart is not getting enough blood. There are several forms of angina - stable, which is the most common and goes away after a few minutes; unstable, which is the most dangerous and does not cease with rest. It is often followed by a heart attack. Variant angina is rare, occurs when a person is resting, but is relieved with medicine.
? Heart Attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot or other form of blockage completely cuts off the supply of blood to a part of the heart. This is a life-threatening event that should be treated immediately.

How Does Heart Disease Cause Fatigue?
There are several factors that contribute to fatigue as a symptom of heart disease. While fatigue is a symptom of a variety of medical condition, heart-disease related fatigue usually happens out of nowhere. A person who experiences fatigue as a result of heart disease will normally wake up feeling normally energized. Throughout the day, however, their energy will diminish even if they are not doing anything strenuous. This occurs until the individual is completely exhausted.

In addition to the fatigue, the individual may also feel like their legs are heavier than normal, contributing to their fatigue. This is a result of clogged arteries in the legs. Because the arteries are clogged, a sufficient supply of blood does not reach them. As a result, they may feel tired or like they are "dragging."

The fatigue and exhaustion experienced as a result of heart disease comes from the increased amount of strain put on the heart, resulting in pumping blood at a slower rate. In addition, this fatigue could result from a lack of oxygen. When the arteries are narrowed as a result of atherosclerosis, a lowered amount of blood flows through them. In turn, the heart and the muscles do not receive the oxygen needed to function.

Another reason heart disease and fatigue are linked is due to the medications people take to help control their heart disease. It is estimated that about 10 percent of people on blood pressure lowering medication experience unusual fatigue as a direct result of their medication.

Fatigue may or may not be responsible for heart disease. However, if a person has suddenly begun to experience extreme fatigue, it is important they see their doctor so a proper diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin if the cause is in fact heart disease.