Fatiguetiredness that does not go away.
Tiredness is common and rarely has a single cause. Sometimes it is the first sign that the heart is working harder. Here is when to have it checked.
Get emergency help now if you have
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.
- Sudden, extreme exhaustion with chest discomfort or breathlessness
- Fainting, or feeling that you are about to faint
- Breathlessness at rest
What it can mean
Most of these are common and treatable, and several have nothing to do with the heart. Telling them apart is what an assessment is for.
- Heart failureTiredness and reduced stamina are often the first things people notice when the heart pumps less well.
- Atrial fibrillationAn irregular rhythm makes the heart less efficient. Many people feel it as tiredness rather than palpitations.
- MedicinesSome blood pressure and heart medicines, such as beta-blockers, can cause tiredness.
- Anaemia and the thyroidA low blood count or an underactive thyroid are common causes, and simple to test for.
- Sleep and moodSleep apnoea, poor sleep, stress and low mood all drain energy, and sleep apnoea also strains the heart.
When to see a cardiologist
Book an appointment, rather than waiting to see if it passes, if any of these apply to you.
- Tiredness that has lasted for weeks and is not explained by sleep, work or illness
- Getting tired or breathless sooner on effort than you used to
- Tiredness with swollen ankles, palpitations or dizziness
- You have a heart condition and your energy has changed
What we would do
Listen
We start with your story: what you feel, when it comes and what brings it on. It is the most useful part of the assessment.
Examine and record
Pulse, blood pressure, heart sounds and an ECG, usually during the same visit.
Test only what matters
If a question is still open, we choose the test that answers it, and no more than that.
Explain the plan
You leave knowing what is likely behind the symptom, what happens next and when to come back.
Tests that may help
Common questions
Can tiredness really be a heart symptom?
Yes. When the heart pumps less efficiently, or the rhythm is irregular, many people notice tiredness and reduced stamina before anything else.
Where should I start?
Tiredness has many causes, including anaemia, thyroid problems, poor sleep and low mood. If it comes with breathlessness, palpitations or swollen ankles, a heart assessment is a sensible place to start.
Could my medicines be causing it?
Some can, including certain blood pressure and heart medicines. Do not stop them yourself; bring the list with you and it can be reviewed.
Would you like it looked at properly?
Book a consultation or send a question on WhatsApp. The symptom is assessed in person, and the findings and next steps are explained to you before you leave.
This page explains what a symptom can be linked to. It cannot diagnose you or replace an examination. If your symptoms are severe, sudden or happening now, seek emergency care immediately.