Fatigue is a daily reality for many people with heart disease. Learn how to deal with these expert tips.
Fatigue is very common in people with diseases such as heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Certain heart medicines can also cause fatigue.
One of the challenges when it comes to defining fatigue is that it means different things to different people. “For some people, fatigue is always present, while for others it comes and goes,” says Julia Newton, a consultant geriatrician with more than 20 years’ experience researching and treating people living with fatigue. says the professor. “It may also be associated with symptoms such as brain fog and muscle pain.
“At its core, fatigue is an overwhelming feeling of lacking energy. People often describe it as a dead battery. You may start your day with a full battery, but The battery is draining too quickly.”
Professor Newton adds: “Another common sign of fatigue is that even after a good night’s sleep, you wake up in the morning feeling just as tired as yesterday.”
Support your health and well-being
Sign up for our biweekly Heart Matters newsletter to receive tips on how to cope with difficult emotions, take care of your health, and stay well. Participation is free and takes 2 minutes.
I would like to register.
face emotional challenges
Because you can’t see how tired a person is, some people may be suspicious of people who live with fatigue.
Professor Newton explains that people with fatigue face several challenges. “Fatigue levels cannot be tested and we cannot actually see how tired a person is, so some may question the experience of people living with fatigue. People often don’t admit that they don’t feel 100 percent and continue to fight in silence.”
Many people have also been forced to give up or scale back activities that they find fulfilling, such as work, hobbies, and time spent with loved ones. “Many of us feel defined by our roles at work and at home, and failure to fulfill these roles can lead to low self-esteem,” Professor Newton says.
It is not uncommon for people with fatigue to experience difficult emotions. Professor Newton explains: “People use words like ‘guilt,’ ‘frustration,’ and ‘anger.’ They feel that the fatigue is somehow their fault, that it’s a burden, that they’re not doing enough. Masu.
“But holding on to difficult emotions can be problematic. Anger, for example, uses up valuable energy, energy that you can put into the things you want to do.”
learn to pace yourself
Living with fatigue may not be easy, but it is certainly possible to adapt on both a practical and psychological level.
“We all have a ‘pie of energy’ that we use to do things every day,” says Professor Newton. “When you’re tired, the pie gets smaller. It may be possible to grow that pie over time, but until then, it’s important to manage to get through each day.”
Achieving this, Professor Newton says, ultimately requires a strategy called pacing. “If you run out of energy today and start going into debt tomorrow, you’ll go broke. Pacing helps you avoid ‘boom and bust’ cycles.” This means breaking down tasks into small, manageable steps that you can tackle one at a time.
“For example, could you spread your spring cleaning over a few days or weeks? You might have to accept that some things just can’t be done the same way they used to. It’s better to accomplish something small every day than to take on a challenge and be unable to function for the rest of the week.”
Rediscovering rest
Professor Newton also emphasizes the importance of resting at regular intervals, but points out that not all rest is the same.
“In today’s society, we forget what rest is. You might think you’ll sit and check your emails, but that’s not the case. However, practices like mindfulness and yoga can help you energize. It will help you get it back.”
You can also look for ways to save energy during tasks. “Ask yourself, ‘Is there a way to be less tiring?'” says Professor Newton. “I once saw a teacher who believed that she had to stand in front of the class all the time. At first she found sitting uncomfortable, but she realized that it made her life easier. I noticed that.”
“You don’t need to make drastic changes. Simple things can make a difference. For example, if you work four days a week, is it better to take Wednesday off than Friday? Mid-week rest is better. But it might be more reassuring than a long weekend.”
3 simple tips to manage fatigue
- Learn to read your body. For example, keeping a fatigue diary helps you understand your limits and plan your days with pacing in mind.
- Stick to a routine. Don’t just include activities that you “must do,” but also activities that you enjoy, such as socializing or learning a hobby. But don’t forget to pace yourself with fun activities.
- Please stay positive. Living with fatigue can leave you feeling demotivated, but focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t do.
Have you tried it at home?
Have you followed the tips in this article? Or do you have any tips for living with fatigue? Email us your thoughts and photos. You may be featured in the following magazines:
What to read next…
Published February 8, 2024
