Cardiovascular Disease is Multifactorial and Involves Several Mechanisms

Sowmya Balasubramanian^*
*Correspondence: Sowmya Balasubramanian, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, Email:

Introduction

Anemia is a condition that occurs when the body lacks a sufficient number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Anemia is a common condition, affecting over two billion people worldwide, and is often caused by a lack of iron or other essential nutrients, chronic diseases or blood loss. Cardiovascular disease, on the other hand, refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, and several risk factors have been identified, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking. While anemia and cardiovascular disease may seem unrelated, recent research has shown that they are connected, with anemia increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and vice versa. The link between anemia and cardiovascular disease is multifactorial and involves several mechanisms. Firstly, anemia leads to a decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity, which in turn puts additional strain on the cardiovascular system. This is because the heart has to work harder to compensate for the lack of oxygen, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure [1].

Description

Additionally, anemia is often associated with an increase in blood viscosity, or thickness, due to a higher proportion of red blood cells. This can lead to a decrease in blood flow and an increase in the risk of blood clots, which can cause heart attacks and strokes. Moreover, anemia is often associated with chronic inflammation, which has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Anemia has also been associated with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. This is because anemia can lead to a decrease in the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps to regulate blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. Finally, anemia can also affect the function of the endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessels. This can lead to a decrease in the production of nitric oxide and an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, which can cause oxidative stress and damage to the blood vessels [2].

Iron is an essential nutrient required for the production of hemoglobin, and a lack of iron can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin levels and a subsequent decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity. Iron-deficiency anemia has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure and an increased risk of death. Hemolytic anemia, on the other hand, is caused by the destruction of red blood cells in the body. Hemolytic anemia can be caused by genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, or infections. Hemolytic anemia has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin, leading to the formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickle cell anemia has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including an increased risk of stroke, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure [3].

Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, while cardiovascular disease refers to a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. These conditions are related in that anemia can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular disease can cause anemia. Anemia is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic disease, genetic disorders, and medications. Anemia can lead to a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness. In severe cases, anemia can lead to organ damage, cognitive impairment, and even death. One of the primary ways in which anemia can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease is through its effects on oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. Hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, is essential for maintaining adequate oxygen levels in the body. When hemoglobin levels are low, as in the case of anemia, the body's tissues are deprived of oxygen, which can lead to a range of negative health outcomes. Low hemoglobin levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease [4].

In addition to its effects on oxygen delivery, anemia can also contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease through its effects on the cardiovascular system itself. Anemia can lead to an increase in heart rate and cardiac output as the heart tries to compensate for the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This increased workload on the heart can lead to hypertrophy and remodeling of the heart muscle, which can increase the risk of heart failure and arrhythmias. Anemia can also lead to changes in the structure and function of blood vessels. Studies have shown that anemia is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Anemia can also lead to increased vascular stiffness and decreased vascular compliance, which can increase the workload on the heart and lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. In addition to the ways in which anemia can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease can also cause anemia. This is because many cardiovascular conditions can lead to decreased production of red blood cells or increased destruction of red blood cells [5].

Conclusion

One example of a cardiovascular condition that can cause anemia is chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to a decrease in the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. This decrease in erythropoietin production can lead to anemia in patients with kidney disease. Another example of a cardiovascular condition that can cause anemia is heart failure. Heart failure can lead to decreased cardiac output and reduced blood flow to the kidneys, which can lead to a decrease in erythropoietin production and subsequent anemia. In addition to these examples, many medications used to treat cardiovascular disease can also cause anemia as a side effect. For example, drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can lead to a decrease in erythropoietin production and subsequent anemia.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

1. Cecchi, Enrico, Fabio Chirillo, Anna Castiglione and Pompilio Faggiano, et al. "Clinical epidemiology in Italian Registry of Infective Endocarditis (RIEI): Focus on age, intravascular devices and enterococci."Int J Cardiol 190 (2015): 151-156.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

2. Laurent, Stephane and Pierre Boutouyrie. "Arterial stiffness and hypertension in the elderly."Front Cardiovasc Med7 (2020): 544302.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

3. Vlachopoulos, Charalambos, Konstantinos Aznaouridis and Christodoulos Stefanadis. "Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with arterial stiffness: A systematic review and meta-analysis."J Am Coll Cardiol55 (2010): 1318-1327.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

4. Selig, Fabio Augusto, Emanuele Renata Tonolli, Érico Vinicius Campos Moreira da Silva and Moacir Fernandes de Godoy, et al. "Heart rate variability in preterm and term neonates."Arq Bras Cardiol96 (2011): 443-449.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

5. Takatani, Tsunenori, Yukihiro Takahashi, Ryota Yoshida and Ryuko Imai, et al. "Relationship between frequency spectrum of heart rate variability and autonomic nervous activities during sleep in newborns."Brain Dev 40 (2018): 165-171.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at