Is Your Heart Overworked? 3 Signs It’s Struggling to Keep Up

Our heart beats nearly 1,00,000 times a day without pause. It does not take breaks, weekends or holidays. However, as any organ, when it is under continuous pressure, it may begin to struggle, especially when conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity quietly increase its workload.

In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, Dr Deebanshu Gupta, Interventional Cardiologist, Sarvodya Hospital, Jalandhar, explained that the heart sends signals to the body when it is straining. Heart failure does not occur immediately, but it should never be ignored.

Signs Your Heart Is Struggling to Keep Up

Here are three key signs your heart may be overworked.

1. Shortness of Breath During Simple Activities

It is normal to be out of breath after an intense workout. However, being short of breath while dressing up, crossing a room or climbing one flight of the stairs is not.

Early symptoms of heart failure include unexplained shortness of breath, particularly when performing normal tasks or when lying down at night. “When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid may accumulate in the lungs, making breathing difficult,” Dr Gupta noted.

Persistent breathlessness deserves medical evaluation, even if there is no chest pain.

ALSO READ- Can Going Vegan Reduce High Blood Pressure? Heart Expert Shares What You Should Know

2. Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet

Unexplained swelling of the lower body is another prime symptom of a failing heart. When the heart is no longer able to pump blood in the body, the fluid starts to build up in tissues, especially in the legs, ankles, and feet. This medical swelling, commonly referred to as edema may:

• Appear suddenly
• Worsen by the end of the day
• Leave indentations when pressed
• Not improve with rest

“Fluid retention can also be indicated through a sudden gain of two to three kilos within a day. That kind of rapid change is not fat gain, it’s usually fluid buildup,” Dr Gupta noted. This symptom can be neglected, which can lead to the development of a heart condition.

3. Constant Fatigue That Sleep Doesn’t Fix

“We are all exhausted at times. However, persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest can indicate reduced blood flow to muscles and organs,” he added. The body switches to an energy-saving mode when the heart is unable to pump sufficient oxygenated blood. Even routine chores start to wear one out. The fatigue does not wear out even after a complete rest.

This type of tiredness is often described as overwhelming or unusual compared to normal exhaustion. According to Dr Gupta, when fatigue is chronic and unexplainable, it cannot be attributed to stress. It can be an expression of decreased cardiac output.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Waiting for symptoms to worsen can make treatment more complicated. Dr Gupta recommended booking an appointment for a heart test in case you experience:

• Persistent shortness of breath
• Sudden swelling in the legs or ankles
• Rapid, unexplained weight gain
• Ongoing fatigue without a clear cause

Bottomline

Shortness of breath, unexplained swelling, and persistent fatigue may signal an overworked heart. Experts suggest early detection and treatment can prevent heart failure.