What does fatigue feel like with heart failure?

Tasks such as walking, climbing stairs or washing can become tiring sooner than before. You may need more pauses, feel weak after exertion or notice that breathlessness limits activity as much as tiredness does. Swollen ankles, a rapid increase in body weight, a cough when lying down or waking short of breath can occur with heart failure. Fatigue has many causes, so these symptoms need a clinical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Arrange medical advice if fatigue is new, worsening or affecting your usual activities, particularly if it comes with breathlessness or swelling. Take prescribed medicines as directed and record changes in energy, breathing, sleep position and swelling. Pace activity with planned rests, but do not substantially change fluid, salt or medicine routines without advice from your care team.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, blue or grey lips, sudden confusion or a sudden inability to speak or move normally. Seek urgent medical advice for rapidly worsening breathlessness, new breathlessness at rest, or swelling that is increasing quickly.

Could my fatigue be related to heart failure or another condition? Which changes in breathing or swelling should I report? How should I pace exercise? Should my medicines or monitoring plan be reviewed?