Mandana Karimi of Bigg Boss fame recently shared how a nonstop work schedule had taken a serious toll on her body. The Bhaag Johnny actor revealed that she had been constantly on the move for months, with frequent flights, events, late nights, and meetings filling up her days. Karimi became concerned when her body began showing signs of significant health issues, including cardiac disturbances. “After days of tests, scans, and holding my breath, I got the sweetest news: my heart is strong. My body is fine. But the truth is I haven’t been fine to it,” her Instagram post reads. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mandana Karimi (@mandanakarimi) What surprised her most was the actual cause behind these issues: exhaustion, dehydration, and stress. Taking a cue from Karimi’s experience, we spoke to Dr C M Nagesh, Director of Cardiology at Cardea Super Speciality Hospital, Bengaluru, to understand how chronic fatigue and exhaustion affect the human body. How does hustle culture affect our body? Dr Nagesh tells us that hustle culture glorifies being “always on” even at odd hours. “Our bodies aren’t built for constant high stress. Prolonged exposure keeps you in fight-or-flight mode with cortisol and adrenaline sky-high,” he explains. While it may feel energising at first, it can eventually disrupt blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep quality, body energy levels, and overall immunity. “Muscles, gut, and hormones also take a hit, leading to digestive issues, menstrual irregularities, and decreased libido. Hustle without recovery erodes both mind and body,” Dr Nagesh warns. What’s the difference between normal tiredness and serious exhaustion? While feeling wiped after a long day is normal, Dr Nagesh clarifies that chronic exhaustion or burnout is different. “It persists even after sleep. You feel wired but tired, with brain fog, irritability, unrefreshing sleep, and headaches. Tasks feel overwhelming. Your body refuses to recharge.” With normal tiredness, a person can still push through tasks and recover relatively quickly. However, in the case of serious exhaustion, productivity, focus, and even emotional regulation tank. He further warns that “if symptoms worsen with minor stress or are accompanied by chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath, it’s time to see a doctor.” Can stress and dehydration really mimic heart problems? Affirming that stress and dehydration can indeed mimic heart problems, the expert says, “Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Combined with anxiety, this can lead to palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, and shortness of breath." Dehydration further compounds these symptoms. “The overlap of symptoms is why chest discomfort or unexplained palpitations should never be dismissed as ‘just stress’ until a physician has ruled out cardiac causes.” What are the early warning signs before hitting a breaking point? First signs are persistent fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and low mood. This is followed by physical symptoms such as “frequent headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues like bloating or constipation, unexplained weight gain or loss, and increased susceptibility to colds or infections.” People may begin to feel unmotivated, detached, numb, and even cynical of the tasks they once loved. “More acute red flags include palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, or fainting—signals that cardiovascular or nervous systems are under strain. In women, menstrual irregularities may be an early stress marker; in men, decreased libido or erectile difficulties may appear,” Dr Nagesh concludes. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
