Can Anemia Damage Your Heart?
Anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells in your body are of abnormally low levels. Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that is rich in iron and which helps to carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Lack of sufficient oxygen can leave you weak and fatigued. You may also experience labored breathing, dizziness, and headaches. Severe anemia can damage your brain, heart, and other organs.
Although anemia can occur across ages, genders, and ethnic groups, some people might be more vulnerable.
Blood loss during menstruation ups the risk of anemia in women. Moreover, when you're pregnant, for the first six months, your body generates more plasma (the fluid part of blood) than red blood cells. This can dilute the blood and cause anemia. You can also get anemia when you're pregnant if your iron and folic acid levels are low.
Babies can be vulnerable if they're born prematurely. Also, the first year is crucial – babies who are given formula that hasn't been enriched with iron or are only given breast milk may often be deficient in iron as early as six months. Children between the ages of one and two who don't have iron-rich foods can also get anemia, especially if they have a lot of milk, which reduces the intake of iron-rich food.
How Does Anemia Affect The Heart?
Anemia can also have a dangerous triangular relationship with heart and kidney disease through a phenomenon called cardio-renal anemia (CRA) syndrome. What happens is that either kidney disease or heart disease reduces the secretion of the hormone erythropoietin, which has a role in stimulating the production of red blood cells. The resultant anemia, in turn, worsens cardiac function. To complicate things further, both the anemia and the heart disease also cause damage to the kidneys.
What Can You Do About Anemia?
Treatment for anemia depends on what's causing it. For instance, your doctor may prescribe synthetic erythropoietin to encourage the production of red blood cells or hormones to stop excessive menstrual bleeding. Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may be needed in the case of sickle cell anemia or thalassemias to replace defective stem cells. Surgery may stop blood loss in some cases – for example, if you're bleeding due to a stomach ulcer.
Iron is required to make hemoglobin. Red meat, chicken, pork, and fish are good sources of iron. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, beans, lentils, peas, and tofu also contain iron; however, it's more difficult for the body to absorb the iron present in them.
Vitamin C plays a role in the absorption of iron. Fruits and vegetables can be great sources of vitamin C. Tangerines, oranges, strawberries, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and tomatoes can help you get your daily fix.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anemia. Having dairy products, eggs, and meat can help you get enough of this vital vitamin.