Why Treating Anemia May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

by DoItYourself Staff

Some people face a greater risk of developing certain diseases than others. For example, African Americans are approximately four times more likely (than members of other groups) to develop a number of health conditions including diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients suffering from CKD are, in turn, at a higher risk than the general population for heart disease and death.

Anemia, a common complication of CKD, often develops in the early stages of the disease and worsens as the disease progresses. Fortunately, anemia is easy to diagnose and is more responsive to treatment than some other cardiovascular risk factors. In patients with CKD, anemia is a serious risk factor for heart disease, like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, and should be treated just as aggressively.

Characterized by a decrease in the body's total number of red blood cells, anemia occurs when there are not enough red blood cells to carry energy-fueling oxygen to the body's tissues and organs. With anemia, the heart is forced to work harder to deliver oxygen-rich blood, yet does not receive enough oxygen to support the body's normal functions, resulting in extensive tissue damage and death.

Treating anemia is not only vital to prevent the development of severe, possibly life-threatening complications, but to improve a patient's quality of life. Patients with serious illnesses such as CKD, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis are at the greatest risk for developing anemia.

Anemia can be easily corrected with existing prescription medications, and people who are treated for their anemia feel better and may be more likely to continue taking medications for their underlying conditions. The latest therapies or treatments, such as Aranesp®, require patients to receive a shot as infrequently as twice a month. New studies show that Aranesp® may be as effective when given only once a month.

Finding information about anemia is also easier than ever before. The Anemia LifeLine™ program, developed by Amgen in collaboration with key national organizations, helps improve the lives of millions of Americans with common, chronic diseases.

Treating anemia can help prevent physical, emotional and psychological complications associated with serious diseases.