Patient was educated on findings to watch for and report in individuals with folate deficiency as follows:
- Shortness of breath: Low folate content, reduced oxygen pick-up, and resulting anemia lead to deficient oxygen supply to all vital organs, resulting in dyspnea and compromised endurance. Report to your physician regarding any worsening of or exacerbation of SOB and oxygen saturations consistently below 90. Oxygen dependent individuals must report any need for increase in oxygen requirements.
- Chest pain and discomfort: Heart muscle is highly dependent on oxygen supply for normal function. Anemia, secondary to folate deficiency, 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. Keep a close watch and report to your physician regarding any chest pain and/or discomfort, how insignificant it may be.
- Rapid heartbeat: Low folate content and resulting anemia in 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. Report to your physician regarding any consistently elevated heart rate above 90.
