Patient/caregiver was educated on complications of acute iron deficiency anemia as follows:
- Shortness of breath: Low iron content and reduced oxygen pick-up in anemic individuals lead to deficient oxygen supply to all vital organs, resulting in dyspnea and compromised endurance.
- Chest pain and discomfort: Heart muscle is highly dependent on oxygen supply for normal function. Anemia can result in reduced supply of oxygenated blood to vital organs, such as, heart. This can result in increased workload on heart muscle, leading to episodes of chest pain and discomfort.
- Rapid heartbeat: Low iron content in anemic patients can result in reduced oxygen transport and deficient oxygen supply to vital organs, thus compromising their function. In anemia, the heart can try to compensate, by overworking and beating faster. By doing this, the heart tries to pump more blood and thereby, supply needed oxygen and nutrients to the vital organs that are compromised.
