6. You’re Always Tired
Profound, bone-deep fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest is a major symptom. To cope with its reduced pumping ability, your body makes a smart but taxing decision: it diverts blood flow away from less critical areas, like your muscles in your limbs, and prioritizes sending it to vital organs like the brain and the heart itself. The result? Your muscles are starved of the oxygen and nutrients they need, leaving you feeling weak, heavy, and constantly exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep.
5. You Have an Increased Heart Rate or Palpitations
Do you ever feel your heart racing, fluttering, or skipping beats? These sensations are known as palpitations. As Dr. Marah explains, “When the heart isn’t pumping enough blood, the body attempts to compensate by speeding up the heart rate to keep oxygen and nutrients flowing.” Your heart is literally working overtime to make up for its lack of efficiency. This extra strain can lead to these irregular or extra beats, which often become more frequent as the condition worsens.