We have all heard that the heart attack can be guessed rom a sudden chest pain and in fact, most people picture a heart attack as a sudden, dramatic event marked by severe chest pain. However, as per cardiologists, the earliest warning signs are often far more subtle. Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a senior cardiologist, says that chronic fatigue, a lingering sense of exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest, can actually be one of the first indicators that the heart is under stress.When the heart struggles, it pumps less blood than required, thus carrying less oxygen to our organs. This reduced circulation forces the body to work harder, leaving a person feeling persistently tired or drained. “Fatigue that cannot be explained by lack of sleep, stress, or diet could be your heart’s first distress signal,” warns Dr. Bhojraj.The Most Overlooked Warning Sign: Chronic FatigueMany times, fatigue is written off as the effect of ageing, long workdays, or lack of sleep. On the other hand, chronic exhaustion in spite of getting enough sleep could indicate underlying cardiovascular problems. The body's energy reserves may be depleted by inflammation and decreased oxygen flow, which can result in fatigue that persists even after a full night's sleep.According to Dr. Bhojraj, because weariness seems so common, individuals typically do not associate it with cardiac problems. It's time to pay attention, though, if weariness is accompanied by mild dyspnoea, dyspepsia, lightheadedness, or jaw pain. When combined, these symptoms may suggest that the heart isn't working properly.What Is a Silent Heart Attack?A silent hart attack happens when the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced or blocked. This is called a "silent" heart attack because there is no crushing chest pain that happens and the symptoms could be as followed:Mild fatigueNauseaJaw painShoulder painHeartburnDespite being “silent,” this kind of attack causes the same level of damage to the heart as a traditional one.Doctors say that silent heart attacks are particularly dangerous because people often don’t seek medical help in time. By the time they do, the heart may have already sustained significant injury.Who Are At More Risk?Men and women may encounter different heart attack symptoms. Compared to males, who are more likely to express acute chest discomfort, women are more likely to experience back pain, nausea, fatigue, or shortness of breath. Because their symptoms are frequently more mild and hence more easily ignored, older persons and postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable.“Women may go through an entire heart attack thinking it’s just stress or acidity,” Dr. Bhojraj explains. “That delay in diagnosis can be fatal.”When to See a DoctorThe right time to see a doctor is when your tiredness persists for weeks, and you also experience shortness of breath, swelling in your legs, or even irregular heartbeats.Early screening through ECGs, echocardiograms, and blood pressure checks can help identify problems before a major event occurs.“Listening to your body’s signals and seeking medical advice early can make the difference between a manageable condition and a life-threatening emergency,” says the doctor.