Sleeping 7-8 hours each night is usually enough for the body to recover. However, there are cases where, despite sufficient sleep, the body still feels tired. Sometimes, this can be a warning sign of a heart problem.
One common reason for feeling tired despite getting enough sleep is sleep apnea. This is a condition where the airways are temporarily blocked during sleep, causing breathing to be interrupted multiple times throughout the night, according to the health website Healthline (USA).
You should see a doctor if you get enough sleep but still feel tired, accompanied by anxiety and a rapid heartbeat. PHOTO: AI
Additionally, feeling tired even after getting enough sleep can also be due to poor sleep quality, stress, anxiety, circadian rhythm disorders, and nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, most of these cases are not dangerous.
However, if this condition is accompanied by some unusual symptoms, the affected person needs to pay special attention. The first sign to watch out for is frequently feeling short of breath or slightly breathless. This indicates that the heart is not pumping blood effectively. If you experience chest pain or tightness, even mild, you should still get checked early as it may be related to coronary artery disease.
Additionally, feelings of anxiety, rapid or irregular heartbeat are also noteworthy signs. Sleep apnea has been shown to be associated with atrial fibrillation, a common type of heart rhythm disorder.
In addition, difficult-to-control high blood pressure and morning headaches can also be related to oxygen deprivation during sleep. When these symptoms appear along with persistent fatigue, the risk of cardiovascular problems should not be ignored.
Even without the above unusual symptoms, individuals should consider seeking medical attention if they experience persistent fatigue despite getting enough sleep for several weeks without improvement. This is especially important if they experience symptoms such as loud snoring, interrupted breathing during sleep, waking up feeling suffocated, or dry mouth.
In addition, excessive daytime sleepiness or underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are also factors that increase the risk of sleep disorders.
In these cases, a doctor may order polysomnography, a diagnostic technique in sleep medicine, to assess sleep quality. Simultaneously, the doctor will check for related cardiovascular factors. Early detection significantly reduces the risk of serious complications, according to Healthline.