A less than normal amount of red blood cells.
The ability to carry oxygen is reduced. Anemia
is noted by the hemoglobin content of the red
cells and by red cell size.
Symptoms
Depending on its severity, anemia may cause one
or more symptoms. These include fatigue, difficult
breathing during activity, dizziness, headache,
insomnia, and pale skin and mucous membranes.
Loss of hunger, unsettled stomach, irregular heart
beats and murmurs also occur.
Risk Factors
Chronic anemia in the absence of underlying heart
disease produces surprisingly few symptoms, which
may consist of easy fatigability, mild dyspnea,
and occasionally palpitations and cardiac awareness.
Anemia, even when severe, rarely causes heart
failure or angina pectoris, and when these are
present, it is likely that the high cardiac output
is superimposed on some specific cardiac abnormality,
such as valvular or ischemic heart disease.
Diagnosis
Iron deficiency is the most common cause. Blood
tests are done to find the type of anemia and
the cause.
Treatment
Treatment of heart failure associated with severe
anemia should be specific for the anemia (e.g.,
iron, folate, vitamin B12, and so forth). When
congestive heart failure is present, diurectics
and cardiac glycosides are advisable, although
some believe that the latter drugs are not helpful
in this condition. When both heart failure and
anemia are severe, treatment must be carried out
on an urgent basis and presents a difficult challenge.
Prevention
The patient should be on a balanced diet to supply
the food the blood needs. The anemic patient must
also get a lot of rest. The patient should be
aware of signs of increasing anemia (see diagnosis)
or blood loss.
