An early manifestation of decreased cardiac output is fatigue.
When the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands, it can result in a decrease in cardiac output. Fatigue is often one of the first symptoms experienced by individuals with decreased cardiac output. This fatigue can manifest as a general sense of tiredness or lack of energy.
To better understand this, let's consider an example.
Imagine you are running a race and suddenly you feel extremely tired and unable to keep up with the other runners. This feeling of fatigue is similar to what someone with decreased cardiac output may experience. The heart is not pumping enough blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs, causing fatigue.
While substernal pain, nail bed cyanosis, and shortness of breath can also be associated with decreased cardiac output, fatigue is often the earliest and most common manifestation. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of decreased cardiac output and seek medical attention if any of these symptoms are experienced.