Patient was educated on findings to watch for and report in individuals with history of Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia as follows:
- Stroke: Optimum levels of Vitamin B12 helps prevent fat deposition inside the blood vessels and plaque formation. Chronic 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, contributing to reduced blood flow. Compromised blood flow involving the carotid arteries delivering blood and oxygen to the brain can increase risk for stroke. Report to your physician regarding any symptoms of stroke, such as, unprovoked headache, sudden onset of speech difficulty, abrupt changes with vision, sudden onset of episodes of confusion & dizziness, abrupt onset of weakness of one side of body, sudden onset of difficulty ambulation, and poor balance.
- Myocardial infarction and DVT: Optimum levels of Vitamin B12 helps prevent fat deposition inside the blood vessels and plaque formation. Chronic 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, contributing to reduced 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. Report to your physician regarding any chest pain and other symptoms of DVT, such as, sudden dry cough, pain in the calf muscle with swelling of the leg below the calf, and increased SOB.
