Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of AnemiaRelationship Between the TwoSymptomsDiagnosis and TreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Anemia
Relationship Between the Two
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a strong link betweenanemiaand heart failure. Anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthyred blood cellsto carry oxygen to your organs,whileheart failurehappens when the heart is unable to adequately pump oxygenated blood out to the body.Some congestive heart failure (CHF) patients also have anemia.
You can slow the progression of heart failure if it is diagnosed and treated early.Anemia can be treated, but first, its cause must be diagnosed.In this article, you will learn about how these two conditions are connected.
What Are the Causes of Anemia?
Anemia lowers the number of red blood cells in your blood. There can be several reasons for this. Your body may not be making enoughhemoglobin(a protein in your red blood cells) or red blood cells, your body is breaking down red blood cells too fast, or you may have a hemoglobin abnormality. This results in your organs not getting enough oxygen to function properly.
There are a fewtypes of anemia, but the two most common are iron-deficiency anemia and sickle cell disease:
RecapAnemia lowers the number of red blood cells in your body. Causes include a hemoglobin abnormality or your body’s not making enough red blood cells or it’s breaking down red blood cells too fast. The two most common conditions that cause anemia are iron-deficiency anemia and sickle cell disease.
Recap
Anemia lowers the number of red blood cells in your body. Causes include a hemoglobin abnormality or your body’s not making enough red blood cells or it’s breaking down red blood cells too fast. 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.
Because your heart can’t pump enough blood around your body, your organs don’t get enough oxygen.As a result, one complication of heart failure ischronic kidney disease(CKD). In this condition, the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged. The kidneys can’t 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 type of protein that helps make red blood cells. Low levels of EPO can cause anemia.
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Symptoms to Look For
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Anemia and heart failure share some common symptoms.They includefatigue, shortness of breath, and a fast heartbeat at rest.
Additional symptoms for anemia are:
Additional symptoms for heart failure include:
RecapShortness of breath, fatigue, and fast heartbeat are all symptoms of both anemia and heart failure. However, with anemia, you may also feel dizziness, easily bruised skin, and restless legs syndrome. With heart failure, you will experience swelling in the legs, a dry cough, and an upset stomach.
Shortness of breath, fatigue, and fast heartbeat are all symptoms of both anemia and heart failure. However, with anemia, you may also feel dizziness, easily bruised skin, and restless legs syndrome. With heart failure, you will experience swelling in the legs, a dry cough, and an upset stomach.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Anemia and Heart Failure
Diagnosing heart failure and anemia involves blood tests, imaging, and other medical procedures.
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. It can also show if you have low levels of vitamins B12, B9, and iron.The urine test will check for abnormal levels of hemoglobin.
Additional tests may include:
Treatment for anemia will depend on what is causing it. In some cases, it can be cured.No matter the cause, your doctor will recommend a diet high in iron-rich foods. You’ll also need to avoid foods that prevent your body from absorbing iron.
For iron-deficiency anemia, medical treatment may include iron supplements, iron infusions (iron given intravenously, through an IV), or blood transfusions. If CDK is the cause, EPO infusions may be recommended.
If internal bleeding is the cause of your anemia, you’ll need surgery. An ulcer is likely to cause bleeding. If you havehiatal hernia, in which part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm muscle, you are more prone to developing an ulcer and therefore internal 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. High levels of NT-pro BNP mean that the chambers of your heart are strained, which is a sign of heart failure.
Other tests your doctor may order include:
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Heart failure can’t be cured, but you can prevent it from getting worse. 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.
RecapDiagnosing 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.
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.
Ways to Prevent Anemia and Heart Failure
Some ways to lower your risk for heart disease include:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Heart failure and anemia are serious conditions. But if you are diagnosed early, you can successfully manage both conditions. Heart failure is a chronic condition that can’t be cured, but you can still live a full and active life. In most cases, anemia can be cured. If you have heart failure and anemia, following your doctor’s treatment plan will give you the best chance to have a high quality of life.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWith severe anemia, you may get headaches, have a fast heartbeat, and feel generally weak all the time. As heart failure gets worse, you will have shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles and feet, and a dry cough that happens more when you lay down.With heart failure, don’t wait until symptoms become so severe that you need to go to the emergency room. Call your doctor if you have sudden swelling in your legs, an unexplained change in weight, coughing at night, or shortness of breath.For anemia, if you feel weak all the time and have headaches or dizziness that don’t go away, call your doctor.
With severe anemia, you may get headaches, have a fast heartbeat, and feel generally weak all the time. As heart failure gets worse, you will have shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles and feet, and a dry cough that happens more when you lay down.
With heart failure, don’t wait until symptoms become so severe that you need to go to the emergency room. Call your doctor if you have sudden swelling in your legs, an unexplained change in weight, coughing at night, or shortness of breath.For anemia, if you feel weak all the time and have headaches or dizziness that don’t go away, call your doctor.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Anemia.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Understanding heart failure.MedlinePlus.Heart failure.American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.Silverberg DS, Wexler D, Iaina A.The role of anemia in the progression of congestive heart failure. Is there a place for erythropoietin and intravenous iron?J Nephrol. 2004;17(6):749-761. PMID: 15593047MedlinePlus.Hemolytic anemia.MedlinePlus.How to prevent heart disease.Cleveland Clinic.Acute heart failure.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Anemia.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Understanding heart failure.MedlinePlus.Heart failure.American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.Silverberg DS, Wexler D, Iaina A.The role of anemia in the progression of congestive heart failure. Is there a place for erythropoietin and intravenous iron?J Nephrol. 2004;17(6):749-761. PMID: 15593047MedlinePlus.Hemolytic anemia.MedlinePlus.How to prevent heart disease.Cleveland Clinic.Acute heart failure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Anemia.Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Understanding heart failure.MedlinePlus.Heart failure.American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.Silverberg DS, Wexler D, Iaina A.The role of anemia in the progression of congestive heart failure. Is there a place for erythropoietin and intravenous iron?J Nephrol. 2004;17(6):749-761. PMID: 15593047MedlinePlus.Hemolytic anemia.MedlinePlus.How to prevent heart disease.Cleveland Clinic.Acute heart failure.
Cleveland Clinic.Anemia.
Cleveland Clinic.Heart failure: Understanding heart failure.
MedlinePlus.Heart failure.
American Heart Association.Warning signs of heart failure.
Silverberg DS, Wexler D, Iaina A.The role of anemia in the progression of congestive heart failure. Is there a place for erythropoietin and intravenous iron?J Nephrol. 2004;17(6):749-761. PMID: 15593047
MedlinePlus.Hemolytic anemia.
MedlinePlus.How to prevent heart disease.
Cleveland Clinic.Acute heart failure.
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