The Connection between Anemia and Heart Failure
It has been found that there is a strong connection between anemia and heart failure. Heart failure is a condition that happens when the heart is not able to adequately pump oxygenated blood to the body organs. This condition does not happen all of a sudden. It is a slow progression and we can slow the progression of heart failure if it is diagnosed and treated early. It needs to be noted that heart failure can happen due to multiple reasons and anemia is one of the main reasons for extra-cardiac heart failure. We will discuss how these two conditions are strongly connected in this article.
Anemia in Brief
Anemia is a condition that happens when the number of red blood cells in our blood is lowered in the count. When the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all the organs anemia happens. There can be many reasons why this can happen. It can be because the body is not making enough hemoglobin or red blood cells (Iron-deficiency anemia), because the body is breaking down red blood cells too fast than producing them (hemolytic anemia), or because there is some kind of hemoglobin abnormality.
Clinically how to know if someone shows signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure?
Let us Imagine the heart as a pump, the kidney as a filter, and the blood as the water. All these 3 components are interdependent and should be good enough to do their job perfectly. The blood’s volume and thickness should be as per norms. If the functioning of any of these 3 gets compromised, fluid accumulation happens and that condition is called Edema. Now assuming there is heart failure happening, now fluid gets trapped in the lungs. Fluid accumulation also happens in the feet and legs. Swelling in the ankle region may be noticed which is a common symptom of the edema condition. When the heart is not able to pump enough blood to all the parts of the body and its organs, the organs do not get enough oxygen.
Extra-cardiac reasons for Heart Failure
Extra-cardiac means where the heart in itself is NOT responsible for heart failure. We have said already that among many reasons for heart failure, the heart per se can be the sole reason for heart failure. Here we are going to clearly discuss only the other reasons.
Problem with the Kidney
One of the complications arising out of this condition is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). When this condition sets in, the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged. When the kidneys cannot get enough oxygen, it makes it difficult for them to filter the blood. When the blood filtration does not happen properly it can lead to fluid accumulation and can be the reason to cause heart failure.
Connections between Anemia and Heart Failure
Both the kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) and this hormone is responsible for making red blood cells. When Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) manifests, the kidneys are unable to produce enough EPO which gradually lowers the level of EPO resulting in anemia. This condition where the kidneys malfunction leading to anemia eventually leads to heart failure if left untreated.
Common Symptoms to Look for
Anemia has symptoms like headache, pale skin that is dry or easily bruised, sore tongue, and dizziness. Heart failure has symptoms like edema (swelling in the ankles), dry cough, urge to urinate more at night or while resting, upset stomach, nausea or feeling bloated. The symptoms common for both are shortness of breath, fatigue, tiredness, and a fast heartbeat.
Diagnosis for Both Conditions
Anemia is typically diagnosed using CBC (complete blood count) tests. Other causes like internal bleeding causing anemia are diagnosed by endoscopy or colonoscopy procedures. A simple echocardiogram test can show the presence of heart failure in a patient.
Treatment for Both Conditions
Both conditions are independently treated. The type of anemia and severity is considered while treating anemia. In mild cases of iron deficiency anemia, iron supplements are prescribed. If the iron is severely low, then iron infusions through an IV are recommended. If CDK is the reason, EPO infusion will be done. Other causes like internal bleeding causing anemia are treated by surgical protocols or any protocols that are necessary to arrest the bleeding.
Heart failure is a condition that cannot be cured. However, it can be prevented from further deteriorating. Treatment generally includes medications and that depends on the level of progression of the heart failure. But the most important factor stressed are lifestyle changes and anemia correction that need to be adopted by the patients.
