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| Why Are You So Tired All the Time? |
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Fatigue Cause Number 10: Undiagnosed Heart Disease
If you find yourself becoming exhausted after activities used to be easy, it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of heart disease.
According to Dr. Nieca Goldberg, director of the NYU Medical Center Women's Heart Program and associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine, when overwhelming fatigue sets in after ordinary tasks—such as vacuuming the house, doing yard work or commuting from work each day—your heart may be sending out an SOS that it needs medical attention.
"This doesn't mean that you should panic every time you yawn," Goldberg says. "Most of the time, fatigue is not the first sign of heart disease, and it's usually linked to something far less serious."
At the same time, Goldberg points out that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. "If fatigue following activity is significant, and no other possible reason comes to mind, see your doctor for a checkup," she advises. If your fatigue is related to your heart, medication or treatment procedures can usually help correct the problem, reduce the fatigue and restore your energy.
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Find more causes and treatments for fatigue at WebMD
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| More from March's Spotlight on Health: Women's Health—Thyroid and Fatigue |
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SOURCES: Harris H. McIlwain, MD, rheumatologist, adjunct professor, University of South Florida, Tampa; author, The Fibromyalgia Handbook, 3rd Edition. Ronald R. Fieve, MD, psychopharmacologist, professor of clinical psychiatry, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York City; author, Bipolar II. Nieca Goldberg, MD, director, NYU Medical Center Women's Heart Program; associate professor, NYU School of Medicine, New York City. Rebecca Amaru, MD, clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York City. W. Stephen Pray, PhD, RPh, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Okla. Rudy Rivera, MD, author, Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat. WebMD Feature: "Living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue." WebMD Feature: "Why Am I So Tired?" WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise: "Sleep Apnea—Treatment Overview." WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic: "Depression: Detecting Depression." WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise: "Hypothyroidism
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
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