Tired, Breathless, Slowing Down? Know the Signs of Heart Valve Disease

Are you feeling tired and breathless more often? If your usual morning walk suddenly starts feeling exhausting, don’t immediately dismiss it as temporary fatigue. Not all tiredness is harmless. Many people in their 60s or 70s assume this loss of energy is simply part of getting older or being out of shape. Sure, ageing does naturally bring such changes in the body. However, if this feeling of tiredness, breathlessness, and slowing down persists for more than a few days, it can sometimes signal heart valve problems. It may be your body’s signal to start paying more attention to your heart. This Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week (16–22 February 2026), take a pause and listen to your body’s signals.

When ‘Normal Ageing’ Isn’t the Full Story

When you start feeling slower as you age, it’s easy to chalk it up to ageing. Losing stamina and strength with age is what we know. So, after a certain age, you tend to brush off fatigue and other symptoms as signs of getting older. But what you don’t realise is that it could be Heart Valve Disease (HVD) that is affecting your health.  Heart valve disease (HVD) isn’t simply about ageing; it’s about how the heart’s valves function mechanically.

Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. When a valve becomes stiff (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation), it makes pumping blood harder, and your heart often compensates by thickening or enlarging to maintain blood flow. So, instead of feeling unwell, all you feel is more tiredness than usual. This is one of the key causes of heart valve disease and can mask the problem for a long time. You’d fail to notice any heart valve disease symptoms until they begin to affect your daily life. That’s why everyone needs to be aware of and recognise the SLOW signs of heart valve disease.

The SLOW Signs Everyone Should Know

Wondering what SLOW is and which signs and symptoms to know about? SLOW is simply an acronym that the Hearts4heart campaign uses to help Australians recognise common warning signs of heart valve disease. Here’s what it stands for:

• S – Shortness of breath: Feeling puffed during light chores or when lying flat at night.
• L – Lightheadedness on exertion: Dizziness when standing quickly, climbing stairs, or walking uphill.
• O – Feeling Older than your years: A sudden drop in stamina compared to people your age.
• W – Weary or Unusually Fatigued: Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

These symptoms aren’t prominently visible. Instead, they creep in slowly. That’s why many people dismiss them as normal ageing rather than possible heart changes. However, knowing the SLOW signs can help you understand your heart’s signals of overwork and take timely action.

Sometimes, All It Takes Is a Stethoscope

So, what does timely action mean? It means identifying your symptoms and seeking medical opinion. You might be afraid of complicated medical terms or invasive testing and treatments. However, detecting heart valve problems can sometimes be as simple as a GP listening to your heart with a stethoscope! Indeed, a GP can just listen to your heart and check for a whooshing sound, which indicates turbulent blood flow caused by a valve problem. If a murmur is detected, your GP may recommend further tests like an echocardiogram, a safe and painless ultrasound that shows how your heart valves move.

This Awareness Week, Make Your Health a Priority

Feeling SLOW isn’t always a personal failing or an inevitable part of ageing. Sometimes, it can indicate other underlying causes such as  heart valve problems and is worth checking. This Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week, don’t ignore the signs. If you notice any heart valve disease symptoms, book to see your GP or one of our doctors at  GP Northbourne. Remember, your energy, independence, and quality of life are worth paying attention to. Understanding what your body is telling you is the first step towards feeling stronger and more in control.