Are You Tired? It Might Be More Than Fatigue—Signs of Heart Failure to Know

Chronic fatigue can often feel like a norm, particularly among Black Americans managing substantial life pressures. However, when this fatigue is accompanied by breathlessness, leg swelling, or heart palpitations, it might indicate heart failure, specifically transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), which is frequently underdiagnosed in this demographic. Recognizing and advocating for appropriate care can be life-saving. Symptoms include persistent exhaustion, breathlessness during routine tasks, swelling in lower extremities, hand numbness, and unexplained weight loss. Increased awareness and education are vital to ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.