The unrecognized burden of cardiovascular diseases is preventing people of our country from living to their fullest potential. Sometimes, the symptoms can be covert and difficult to recognise. Prolonged health conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can in some cases indicate poor heart health.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious condition with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness that doesn’t go away after periods of resting or sleeping. The symptoms last up to six months or more and co-exist with other symptoms such as body pain, breathlessness, and lethargy that stretch throughout the day. In all, the affected person might find the symptoms interfering in their day-to-day life.
Can CFS be linked to heart health?
Cardiovascular disorders could be one possible reason causing symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Other conditions like endocrine diseases – thyroid or parathyroid disorder, diabetes, deficiency of trace elements like zinc, manganese, and magnesium, and lack of important vitamins such as B12, B6, and D3 or calcium can cause similar symptoms.
CFS can sometimes be indicative of heart abnormalities such as cardiomyopathy (weak pump function of the heart), hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, left ventricular dysfunction and others.
Why a visit to a Cardiologist is necessary?
Since CFS can have varied underlying causes, it is of utmost importance to rule out the role of heart disease in causing these symptoms. A simple cardiovascular health check comprising of ECG (electrocardiogram), echocardiography, blood tests, and treadmill/exercise tests must be conducted periodically to make sure that weak heart health is not the reason behind extreme tiredness.
Timely consultation with a cardiologist can not only ensure early diagnosis of underlying medical problems but sometimes small interventions like being prescribed essential supplements (vitamins and minerals) can improve overall symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
In case you feel tired all the time for no obvious reason, we encourage you to seek consultation from a cardiologist to rule out the underlying cause. As for us, we have always got your heart.
By Dr D. K. Jhamb, Director & HOD, Interventional Cardiology, SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram