Patient was educated on the complications of vitamin B12 deficiency as follows:
- Arrhythmia: Compromised oxygen supply to the heart muscle in anemia can result in palpitations and arrhythmias. Patients can present with fluttering in the chest, racing or abnormally slow heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, episodes of loss of consciousness, chest pain and/or discomfort, and fainting.
- Heart disease: Optimum levels of Vitamin B12 helps prevent fat deposition inside the blood vessels and plaque formation. Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in fat deposition and plaque formation in blood vessels. Plaque formation can result in narrowing and hardening of blood vessel. Narrowed and hardened blood vessels permit poor blood flow. Compromised blood flow involving the coronary arteries delivering blood and oxygen to the heart muscle can increase risk for chest pain and heart attack. Also, plaque formation in the blood vessels can increase risk for clot formation and deep vein thrombosis.
- Fatigue and listlessness: Compromised oxygen supply to the muscle tissue in anemic patients can result in cramping, weakness, fatigue, and exhaustion.
- Poor metabolism: Vitamin B12 helps with the body metabolism of dietary carbohydrates, fats, and protein and energy production. Compromised body metabolism with vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to fatigue, listlessness, unusual weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, and depression.
