One of the most annoying symptoms of heart failure is the lack of enthusiasm and interest for anything. It’s hard to get into a routine when you have that ‘can’t be bothered attitude’.
Excercise helps but if you do too much it can make the situation worse. Has anybody found a way to cope with this annoying fatigue? How do you get started in the morning?
Hi Howard. I get tired post heart attack so I tend to be better in the morning and so book appointments gym/ meetings etc for first thing then I listen to my body and when I get tired I go and have a nap. As to motivation. I do volunteering so I feel bad if I let people down. Sometimes I have to but it helps me focus and try to work through the fatigue. Take care Zena
Unsure below post can answer your question directly but its an example of how i managed to bring positive attitude in to my life, let me know if i can be further help.
Hi Howardl. Do you have a cardiac rehabilitation group in your local area? I have found them very helpful. Their exercise programme, combined with a cheerful camaraderie, is a great help. Talking with others in a similar situation to yourself is useful too.
Cardiac rehab group a must as it serves two purposes, one gets you exercising in a controlled environment, and two, provides a great chance to talk with other people in a similar situation. Do go and make the most of it.
Hi Howard I have had heart failure for great number of years now I did a study on heart failure which I found co q10 supplement really changed my life after about a month I felt on top of the world I got all the get up and go I needed please try it it can not hurt you you can get it from your gp but a lot of gps don’t like giving and I think you know why they don’t like giving supplements but please try it I can not say any thing bad about it good luck get back to me all the best tweety.
I get this with a different heart condition and I get up earlyer than I plan and cuddle my dog for a bit
It's a toughie... I find it helps to make to-do lists when I get up in the morning and tailor the tasks to suit my energy levels. If I'm feeling rubbish I might put on some jobs like putting on a load of washing that can be shoved in the tumble dryer rather than hung up to dry, catch up on emails, write a shopping list etc... Days I'm feeling better, I can include tasks like exercise, cleaning, catching up with friends etc... The physical act of ticking off a list makes even small/low-energy tasks feel like an achievement. I can't always (ever?) control my physical symptoms, but keeping on top of my mood helps me to carry on regardless and stops the downward spiral. Good luck x
Thanks for all the replies,
Some of your answers are worth further investigation but I think at the end of the day fatigue after very little activity is something we have to live with at the moment with heart failure, (until they invent a tablet for it). It’s our body telling us we need rest. It’s hard to slow down and pace yourself when you have quite a good level of fitness. I think with planning, getting the right amount of sleep (difficult) and limiting activity can go a long way to improving the get-up and go feeling.
Sleep definitely helps, I agree. I've accepted that some nights (usually at least once a week) I need to go to bed earlier than my six-year-old! I do begrudge missing that evening, but it's worth it.
Hi. Have you spoken to your GP, heart Failure Nurse? I have the same problem and spend an hour in bed after lunch just to get me through the day. Have you got mild depression? May be the some counselling may help
Hi
I get a little depressed when I get fatigued. I think this is part of the symptoms. I always feel better after a good rest, at least a day of recharging the batteries and doing nothing.
I think that's the nature of the condition. I was diagnosed in 2013 and have still not learned to pace myself properly. There always seems so much to do and so little energy. However it's a case of learning what activities are really no go and finding an acceptable substitute. For me it's hill walking so I now find level walks and I used to play french horn but had to give that up and have learnt to play bridge instead. I still have days where I can pretty much do nothing because I've overdone things
I dont have heart failure so dont know that fatigue. I have had a fib for almost 2 1/2 yr and have danced with depression/ anxiety prior to a fib. I have trouble sorting out fatigue from depression, a fib or meds. Probably all of the above. I do know depression can make people not want to be with others or do social things. I make myself exercise and be social but always leave a day between events so I know I can rest up if I need to. Ive found when I do go do sonething social that I didnt think I wanted to do, I end up enjoying myself and glad I went. My adult children dont quite understand as I " look fine" , why dont I want to spend a whole wkend in the sun, camping etc. I figure they will be 65 some day, maybe I will still be kicking around to see it😉
Hi
I to have a fib as well as the heart failure and agree the fatigue is caused by the fib and heart failure as well as the medication
Scared and fed up! 
spots blemishes and dry patches
Confused and fed up
Time to give up
