There is a strong link betweenanemiaand heart failure.
What Are the Causes of Anemia?
Anemia lowers the number of red blood cells in your blood.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
There can be several reasons for this.
This results in your organs not getting enough oxygen to function properly.
The two most common conditions that cause anemia are iron-deficiency anemia and sickle cell disease.
What Is the Association Between Anemia and Heart Failure?
When heart failure happens, fluid gets trapped in the lungs.
Fluid also gets backed up in the feet and legs, causing swelling, or edema.
In this condition, the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged.
The kidneys cant get enough oxygen, making it difficult for them to filter blood.
CKD also lowers the amount of erythropoietin (EPO) the kidneys make.
EPO is a throw in of protein that helps make red blood cells.
Low levels of EPO can cause anemia.
However, with anemia, you may also feel dizziness, easily bruised skin, and restless legs syndrome.
Anemia
Your doctor will order acomplete blood count(CBC) and sometimes a urine test.
The blood test will show the number and shape of your blood cells.
Additional tests may include:
Treatment for anemia will depend on what is causing it.
Youll also need to avoid foods that prevent your body from absorbing iron.
If CDK is the cause, EPO infusions may be recommended.
If internal bleeding is the cause of your anemia, youll need surgery.
An ulcer is likely to cause bleeding.
Sickle cell anemia may require a bone marrow transplant.
Heart Failure
Your doctor may order tests for anemia and highcholesterol, such as a lipid panel.
A blood test will also check for levels of a molecule called NT-pro BNP.
Treatment will depend on what stage of heart failure you are in and what caused it.
Most treatment plans will include medications and lifestyle changes.
Diagnosing heart failure and anemia involves blood tests, imaging, or other kinds of medical procedures.
Treating anemia could include iron supplementation, iron infusions, a diet high in iron-rich foods, or surgery.
In some cases, the anemia will go away.
For heart failure, treatment will focus on preventing the condition from getting worse.
In addition,vitamin Chelps your body better absorb those vitamins.
However, anemia that is inherited (a gene passed down from a parent) can’t be prevented.
you could prevent heart failure by avoiding heart disease.
Some risk factors for heart disease are unavoidable.
These include older age, sex, race/ethnicity, and family history.
Health conditions, like diabetes, can also put you at higher risk for heart disease.
Anemia that is inherited, such as sickle cell anemia, cant be prevented.
Heart failure can be prevented by lowering your risk for heart disease.
It can help to eat well, not smoke, exercise regularly, and keep a healthy weight.
Some symptoms of anemia can be cured with surgery if the cause is internal, like an ulcer.
you’re free to’t prevent anemia that is inherited, such as sickle cell anemia.
Heart failure can be prevented by lowering your risk for heart disease.
A Word From Verywell
Heart failure and anemia are serious conditions.
But if you are diagnosed early, you’ve got the option to successfully manage both conditions.
In most cases, anemia can be cured.
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MedlinePlus.Hemolytic anemia.
MedlinePlus.How to prevent heart disease.
Cleveland Clinic.Acute heart failure.
