Patient/caregiver was educated on complications of chronic iron deficiency anemia as follows:
- Arrhythmia: Compromised oxygen supply to the heart muscle can result in palpitations and arrhythmias. Individuals can present with signs and symptoms of arrhythmia, such as, fluttering in the chest, racing or abnormally slow heartbeat, poorly felt pulse, dizziness, any episodes of loss of consciousness, chest pain and/or discomfort, and fainting.
- Fatigue and listlessness: Compromised oxygen supply to the muscle tissue in anemic patients can result in cramping, weakness, fatigue, and exhaustion. Report to your physician regarding any unresolving or deteriorating fatigue and exhaustion.
- Pale skin and cold extremities: Rich supply of blood and oxygen to the skin and mucus membranes is needed for pink, healthy coloration to the tissues and maintenance of warmth to touch. Low red cell count with deficient oxygen supply in anemic individuals result in pale coloration to skin and mucus membranes and cold extremities to touch.
- Dizziness and confusion: Brain and nervous tissues are highly dependent on oxygen supply for their normal function. Reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain in anemic individuals, can result in headache, dizziness, slowing of thought process, and confusion, which can contribute to increased risk for falls and accidents.
