Everyone feels tired from time to time. Maybe you stayed up too late, had a rough night’s sleep, or you’ve got too much on your plate. When fatigue becomes your new normal, it’s time to dig a little deeper, and one of the first places to look might be your heart.
That’s when we turn to an electrocardiogram (EKG).
It’s a fast, painless test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. While it may seem like a tool primarily for folks with chest pain or known heart issues, an EKG can also reveal hidden causes of fatigue that you might never have considered.
If you’ve been feeling run-down, sluggish, or “off” lately, Dr. Fahmi Farah, our cardiology expert at Bentley Heart, explains why your fatigue might be a sign of a heart issue and how an EKG can help us identify it.
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in both primary care and cardiology. And honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating symptoms because it’s vague, broad, and can come from a lot of different things.
Fatigue might be caused by:
And it can also stem from heart problems.
Cardiovascular issues are often overlooked as the culprit behind chronic fatigue, especially in people who don’t have chest pain or high blood pressure. But the heart plays a major role in determining your energy levels. If your heart isn’t pumping efficiently, your body isn’t getting the oxygen-rich blood it needs to stay alert and energized.
An EKG is a simple, non-invasive test that takes just a few minutes. It records your heart’s rhythm and electrical signals to check for problems with how your heart is beating.
We use an EKG to:
In short, it’s a first-line test that can tell us a lot about what’s going on behind the scenes, especially if fatigue is your main complaint.
If your EKG comes back normal, that’s great news, but it can be disappointing not to get answers about your fatigue.
Don’t worry: A normal EKG can help rule out several serious heart issues and help us know where to look next. If your fatigue continues, we’ll recommend other diagnostic tools, like:
Many people don’t realize that untreated sleep disorders (especially sleep apnea) can cause persistent, overwhelming fatigue and even contribute to heart disease over time. If you snore, wake up unrefreshed, or feel sleepy during the day, your fatigue may be more closely related to your breathing at night.
If your EKG shows an abnormality, don’t panic. That’s what the test is for — to catch issues early, before they become bigger problems. Dr. Farah walks you through the results, explains what they mean, and maps out a plan that might include:
Remember, catching a heart issue early can make a significant difference in how you feel and how well your heart functions in the long term.
So, if you’re tired all the time and can’t quite figure out why, don’t ignore it; fatigue can be your body’s way of waving a red flag, and sometimes, it’s your heart that needs attention.
A quick, painless EKG could provide the first clue in solving the mystery. Whether your fatigue is linked to a heart rhythm issue, sleep disorder, or something else entirely, we’re here to help you get answers and start feeling like yourself again.
Call our friendly staff at 817-720-5185 or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation today.