Can Anemia Cause High Blood Pressure

What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia

You may be at risk for getting iron deficiency anemia if:

• You are a woman who has heavy periods.
• You are a woman who is pregnant, just gave birth or is breastfeeding.
• You recently had a major surgery or injury.
• You have a history of celiac disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease.
• You have had gastric bypass or other weight loss surgery.
• You are a vegetarian or vegan with a diet that lacks iron rich foods.
• You have bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract as a result of inflammation of the stomach or esophagus, ulcers in your stomach or bowel, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis or cancers in your GI tract.
• You have history of frequent nose bleeds with major blood loss.
• You donate blood often.

Anemia And Heart Failure

Anemia happens when your body doesn’t produce enough healthy red blood cells, which are tasked with providing oxygen to the tissues in your body, the Mayo Clinic points out. A common type of anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, is caused by low iron levels iron is an essential building block of healthy red blood cells.

When you have iron-deficiency anemia, you may notice fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, a rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath, among other symptoms, says Mayo Clinic. Mild cases of iron-deficiency anemia usually don’t cause major complications, but more serious cases can have more serious consequences. But always bring these symptoms to the attention of your doctor.

When you don’t produce enough iron, your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen, which can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure, explains George Bakris, MD, a professor of medicine and director of the American Heart Association Comprehensive Hypertension Center at University of Chicago Medicine. About half of all people with heart failure have anemia, according to the American College of Cardiology.

“If you are diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, discuss it with your primary care physician first and foremost to understand why this is occurring,” Dr. Bakris says.

What Are The Symptoms Of Anemia

The symptoms of anemia are caused by an abnormally low number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells contain the protein hemoglobin, which is vital to carrying oxygen to the bodys cells. Many symptoms of anemia are due to a general lack of oxygen that is available to the cells.

Your symptoms may also be caused by low blood pressure , which is due to reduced blood volume. Blood volume will be low if anemia develops quickly, as in blood loss from hemorrhage.

Symptoms of anemia can be mild to severe and vary depending on the underlying cause.

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How Is Anemia Categorized

Anemia can occur due to a number of reasons and there are multiple types of this condition. We can categorize different forms of anemia into the following categories:

• Microcytic anemia refers to types of anemia where bodys tissues and organs dont get enough oxygen to function properly. Anemia of chronic disease, iron deficiency anemia and other similar conditions fall into this category
• Normocytic anemia forms of anemia where the average concentration of hemoglobin is within normal limits. It is usually associated with chronic infections and chronic systemic diseases. A vast majority of normocytic anemias are a result of inadequate production of red blood cells, renal failure
• Macrocytic anemia refers to types of anemia where red blood cells are larger than they should be. Causes of macrocytic anemia are numerous including hypothyroidism, liver disease, alcoholism, and other problems and health conditions

Serum Ferritin Tibc And 4

Of the 8,580 men who were normotensive at baseline, 818 were found to be hypertensive at the 4-year follow-up. Compared with those who remained normotensive, these subjects had higher median levels of ferritin and TIBC at baseline, but had no significant difference in iron levels . The subjects with hypertension were further classified into those newly diagnosed through BP readings and those diagnosed because of use of hypertensive medications . Compared with those who remained normotensive, both incident and self-reported hypertensive subjects had higher median levels of ferritin and TIBC at baseline . However, there was no significant difference in baseline ferritin and TIBC between these two hypertensive groups. The subjects with self-reported hypertension were older and had a higher baseline systolic BP and greater insulin resistance than those newly diagnosed through BP readings.

Odds ratio of incident hypertension by quartiles of ferritin and TIBC at baseline in men

Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed a significantly positive association of TIBC with the incidence of hypertension . The association of serum TIBC levels with the incidence of hypertension was unchanged after adjustment for ferritin levels .

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Does Anemia Cause High Blood Pressure

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Important Safety Information About Epogen

EPOGEN® may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

For people with cancer:

• In patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers: Your tumor may grow faster and you may die sooner if you choose to take EPOGEN®.
• Your healthcare provider will talk with you about these risks.

For all people who take EPOGEN®, including people with cancer or chronic kidney disease:

• Serious heart problems, such as heart attack or heart failure, and stroke. You may die sooner if you are treated with EPOGEN® to increase red blood cells to near the same level found in healthy people.
• Blood clots. Blood clots may happen at any time while taking EPOGEN®. If you are receiving EPOGEN® for any reason and are going to have surgery, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you need to take a blood thinner to lessen the chance of blood clots during or following surgery.
• Chest pain
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Loss of consciousness
• Hemodialysis vascular access stops working

If you decide to take EPOGEN®, your healthcare provider should prescribe the smallest dose that is necessary to reduce your chance of needing RBC transfusions.

If your hemoglobin level stays too high or goes up too quickly, this may lead to serious health problems which may result in death. These serious health problems may happen if you take EPOGEN®, even if you do not have an increase in your hemoglobin level.

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What’s The Protocol For Treating Anemia To Lower Blood Pressure

You’d think it would go without saying, but it doesn’t: Don’t treat anemia until a lab test confirms that you have it. And don’t assume you have iron-deficiency anemia until a lab test confirms, that, too.

It’s possible to have an iron deficiency without having anemia, which is defined as a deficiency in red blood cells, not a deficiency in iron. This kind of iron deficiency usually doesn’t cause symptoms, although about half the people who have it will develop a habit of pagophagia, craving ice to suck or chew. Some people with this kind of iron deficiency will develop cravings for cold vegetables, like ice cold celery sticks and carrot sticks straight from the crisper of the refrigerator.

It’s also possible to have anemia without an iron deficiency. Sometimes the body can’t make functional molecules of hemoglobin. This condition is known as sickle cell disease. Sometimes the body can make enough red blood cells but can’t make enough hemoglobin. This condition is known as thalassemia. Sometimes the body can’t make the “heme” part of hemoglobin. This condition is known as porphyria, which is apocryphally associated with vampirism. Or maybe the body simply can’t use the iron is has. This condition is known as sideroblastic anemia . Or maybe the problem is an inability to absorb vitamin B12 to make the enzymes that ensure that red blood cells are the right shape and only normal size. This condition is known as “pernicious” anemia or megaloblastic anemia.

Baseline Characteristics Of Participants According To Serum Ferritin Level

The mean age of the study participants was 41.9 years. Across the ferritin concentration quartiles , subjects in the higher quartiles were more likely to have higher concentrations of C-reactive protein , white blood cell counts, serum alanine aminotransferase and -glutamyl transferase and to have higher waist circumference. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels increased linearly in subjects with the lowest to the highest serum ferritin quartiles . High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased linearly in subjects in parallel with the lowest to the highest serum ferritin quartiles . Diastolic BP increased linearly in subjects from the lowest to the highest serum ferritin quartiles .

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Can Menstruation Cause High Blood Pressure

We know that your blood pressure changes based on your age and gender, but does your period ;cause higher blood pressure when menstruating? According to a study reported by WebMD, 40 percent of women with moderate-to-severe pre-menstrual syndrome were more likely to develop high blood pressure than women with mild-to-no PMS symptoms.

There has not been a lot of research about the relationship between blood pressure and periods, but some studies have shown that blood pressure may increase during certain stages of the menstrual cycle. This occurs due to the spike of progesterone levels. This study also found that blood pressure was higher at the beginning of menstruation. This indicated that its common to have higher blood pressure before a period, rather than after or during.

Understanding Blood Pressure And Cbd

The key to understanding blood pressure is knowing the difference between the two numbers represented in a pressure reading. Systolic BP, which is the top or first number in the reading, indicates how much pressure your blood is placing on your artery walls when your heart beats. In contrast, diastolic BP measures the pressure that is exerted when your heart is at rest.

If you have low blood pressure, your systolic blood pressure reading will generally be under 90 millimeters of mercury , which is the top number. Your diastolic BP could also be below 60 mm Hg.

The causes of low blood pressure can be very simple, such as dehydration, but it can also be caused by serious medical conditions. This is why it is important that you understand what is causing the issue in order to get the right treatment.

Physical symptoms of low BP can include lightheadedness, fainting, and dizziness. It can have some serious health implications. If you do have what is formally known as hypotension, it is recommended that you monitor your blood pressure if you decide to use CBD . It is also important to check out how CBD will interact with any medications you are taking.

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Breathing Issues Dizziness And Headaches

When youre healthy, abundant oxygen is conveyed to the heart, muscles, and organs. With anemia, the lungs overcompensate in order to bring in more oxygen, causing breathing difficulties.

Low levels of hemoglobin prevent adequate oxygen from reaching the brain. Blood vessels swell, blood pressure drops, and it can result in headaches, neurological issues, and vertigo.

Small exertions can cause shortness of breath or fainting spells.

Anemia Due To Iron Or Folate Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the cause of anemia during pregnancy in about 95% of cases. Iron deficiency anemia is usually caused by

• Not consuming enough iron in the diet

• Menstruating

• Having had a previous pregnancy

Women normally and regularly lose iron every month during menstruation. The amount of iron lost during menstruation is about the same as the amount women normally consume each month. Thus, women cannot store much iron.

To make red blood cells in the fetus, pregnant women need twice as much iron as usual. As a result, iron deficiency commonly develops, and anemia often results.

Folate deficiency may also cause anemia during pregnancy. If folate is deficient, the risk of having a baby with a birth defect of the brain or spinal cord , such as spina bifida, is increased.

Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia or folate deficiency anemia.

Anemia can usually be prevented or treated by taking iron and folate supplements during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman has iron deficiency, the newborn is usually given iron supplements. Taking folate supplements before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy reduces the risk of the baby having a neural tube defect.

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Can You Use Cbd If You Have Low Blood Pressure

There is an increasing number of people in the U.S. looking at CBD as a way of addressing all sorts of different health and wellbeing issues, from chronic pain to anxiety and stress. A growing amount of research shows the many benefits it can have, but it is important for you to consider your own particular health and wellbeing before deciding whether it is the right choice for you.

Factors That Increase Red Blood Cell Destruction

On the other hand, any disorder that destroys red blood cells at a rate faster than theyre made can cause anemia. This typically occurs due to hemorrhaging, which can happen because of:

• an enlarged spleen or liver
• atrophic glossitis of tongue

People with signs or symptoms of anemia should seek medical attention, especially if fainting or chest pains occur.

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Association Of Hb Level With Sbp And Dbp

Spearmans correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the various clinical and biochemical parameters and SBP and DBP. SBP was also positively correlated with Hb and DBP .

Table;2.

Correlations of SBP and DBP with various clinical and biochemical parameters

Hb has a significant positive correlation with SBP and DBP, and the positive correlation persists after correcting for age, serum creatinine , BMI, and low-density lipoprotein in males and females separately .

Table;3.

Correlations of Hb with SBP and DBP after adjustment for confounding factors in the male population

Table;4.

Correlations of Hb with SBP and DBP after adjustment for confounding factors in the female population

What Is Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood in your circulatory system. It is often measured for diagnosis of certain conditions because it is related to the force and rate of your heartbeat and the width and elasticity of your arterial walls.

As your heart works to pump blood throughout your body, it forces the flow out through your arteries which carries it to other blood vessels. The arterial network through your circulatory system tapers off in size until they become tiny vessels, called capillaries. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the organs at the capillary level.

There are two types of blood pressure that are important to be aware of:

• Systolic blood pressure: This refers to the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is pumping and circulating blood flow.
• Diastolic blood pressure: Is the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is resting between heart beats.

Your doctor measures these two types at almost every visit to note if these two numbers have changed. A dramatic increase or decrease can indicate something is wrong and your doctor will instruct you how to manage your levels more effectively.

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Treatment Of Anemia During Pregnancy

• Treatment of the anemia

• For severe symptoms or certain problems in the fetus, transfusions

Measures to correct anemia during pregnancy depend on the cause .

Whether blood transfusions are needed depends on whether the following occur:

• Symptoms, such as light-headedness, weakness, and fatigue, are severe.

• Anemia affects breathing or the heart rate.

• The heart rate pattern in the fetus is abnormal.

High Blood Pressure And Periods

There is no consensus regarding menstruation’s effects on blood pressure. As blood pressure consistently rises and falls throughout the day, it is hard to pinpoint a direct causation, so any connection between high blood pressure and periods remains inconclusive.

An August 2012 study published in the International Journal of Science and Nature found that while female sex hormones do indeed have an effect on the cardiovascular system, the body is capable of adjusting itself and its blood pressure throughout the duration of menstruation.

If there is a connection between high blood pressure and periods, it is not yet clinically significant enough to be cause for concern.

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Low Blood Pressure Andanemia

Not enough iron isn’t the only anemia culprit. A lack of the vitamins B12 and folate can prevent your body from producing enough red blood cells, and this can cause low blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. High blood pressure tends to get more attention than low blood pressure because it is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, but low blood pressure can also be a cause for concern.

Low blood pressure is defined as having either a systolic reading below 90 millimeters of mercury or a diastolic reading below 60 mm Hg. Low blood pressure may cause dizziness and fainting, and in severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening, the Mayo Clinic cautions.

Anemia may also cause orthostatic hypotension, which is low blood pressure that occurs when you stand up quickly, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If low levels of B12 or folate are responsible for your anemia and low blood pressure, your doctor will figure out why you are low in these nutrients. If the cause is diet-related, for example, you can make some changes. Foods rich in B12 include meat, fish and dairy products, according to the UK’s National Health Service. Folate-rich foods include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas and brown rice.

What to do? Talk to your doctor about what is driving your anemia and how best to address it.