What Is Anemia?

Complications Linked To Anemia

When an individual has a severe case of anemia or if anemia is left untreated, a number of serious complications can result. While different types of anemia can cause a range of different complications, there are several complications most have in common. An irregular or fast heartbeat is a common complication of anemia because low blood oxygen levels signal the heart to contract faster. This occurs because the heart attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the tissues throughout the body. Ultimately, heart problems caused by anemia can result in heart failure.

Anemia patients will also often have a poorly functioning immune system. In anemias that involve the increased breakdown of red blood cells, the spleen works overtime to filter these dead cells from the blood. The spleen reduces its other functions of monitoring the body for infections to help clear out the dead cells. Additionally, the bone marrow does not receive enough oxygen to make an adequate amount of white blood cells, which are required for the immune system to be effective. Other complications include chronic fatigue, weakness, and pregnancy complications.

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