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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suffering From Low Haemoglobin And Anaemia. Will This Cause Heart Stressed?

I have anemia and have a hemoglobin right now at 8.5. Recently I have been have increased heart rate in the 110s and above at rest. When I exert my self such as standing or walking upstairs I get very short of breathe and my heart races, I understand this is normal that my heart is working harder because of the decreased oxygen in my blood, but my questions is I know that it will take months for my iron levels to restore will this added heart stress for 2-3months be detrimental to my heart health? Also should I be taking it easy, can I exercise?
Mon, 4 Feb 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM,
After going through your history effect of anaemia on heart depends on severity of anaemia and duration of the disease.In other words it depends on cause if it can be removed and iron can be replenished.
If your anaemia is due to low iron level and if you take treatment your haemoglobin will improve very fast provided there is no other cause so your heart will not be affected.Once you start feeling better you can start light exercise with out going breathless.
In the mean time take care of your diet and medicine like Iron and vitamin supplements.
If it is only iron deficiency rapid correction of iron can be done with injectable forms giving IV.
Even if it is appropriate a Blood transfusion may be given in consultation of physician which will correct anaemia and will give you iron for stores also.
Please take care of yourself.
Good Luck.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson's  Response
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

You are right in stating that the anemia would result in a compensatory increase in your heart rate as it tries to deal with the decrease in blood count.
It would be best if you do not do any strenuous activity at the moment because it would place extra stress on the heart.

After your hemoglobin returns to normal your heart function should also return to its normal state unless it was longstanding anemia which would resulted in a the heart being stressed for a long period of time.

I hope this helps
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Suffering From Low Haemoglobin And Anaemia. Will This Cause Heart Stressed?

Hi, Welcome to HCM, After going through your history effect of anaemia on heart depends on severity of anaemia and duration of the disease.In other words it depends on cause if it can be removed and iron can be replenished. If your anaemia is due to low iron level and if you take treatment your haemoglobin will improve very fast provided there is no other cause so your heart will not be affected.Once you start feeling better you can start light exercise with out going breathless. In the mean time take care of your diet and medicine like Iron and vitamin supplements. If it is only iron deficiency rapid correction of iron can be done with injectable forms giving IV. Even if it is appropriate a Blood transfusion may be given in consultation of physician which will correct anaemia and will give you iron for stores also. Please take care of yourself. Good Luck.