Dealing with anemia can improve heart function and the ability to exercise in those suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF), according to a University of North Carolina cardiologist.
But first, according to Dr. Kirkwood F. Adams Jr., anemia has to shed its long-neglected image and be recognized as the contributor that it is to problems associated with CHF.
Although many physicians have questioned whether moderate anemia in CHF patients needs to be treated, Adams said recent studies have suggested that anemia adversely affects heart function and contributes to systemic changes, including impaired kidney function.
Speaking at an American Medical Association briefing June 6th in New York City, Adams said clinical trials have indicated that among hospitalized heart attack victims, depression of hemoglobin, even to a limited degree, was linked to increased mortality.
Adams said two recent small and preliminary studies have shown that hemoglobin increased in patients treated with erythropoietin and that those patients' ability to exercise improved. He said one study even suggested that the drug could cut time spent in the hospital.
Working with the drug company Amgen, Adams and colleagues have begun studying the effects of anemia on patients' physical activity and fatigue, how hormones affect anemia and quality-of-life issues.
"This focus on anemia is new, and it is definitely worth investigating because we believe it may make a difference with many congestive heart failure patients, and results so far have been encouraging," Adams said.
