Iron Deficiency Linked to Chronic Heart Failure
A study has found that iron deficiency is a factor among chronic heart failure (CHF) patients in poor quality of life, intolerance of exercise and diminished heart function. Researchers showed that although typically associated with anemia, low iron levels negatively even affect a third of CHF patients who are not considered anemic. Iron is important for growth, survival and a number of bodily processes. An excess of iron is as risky as a deficiency. Iron levels should be closely controlled because too much of this insoluble mineral can be toxic. However, deficiencies are considered to be relatively common. Cardiologists should become aware of the possible importance of iron deficiency in heart patients. Correction of iron deficiency in CHF patients may lead to important clinical benefits. A key message of the study is that iron deficiency is often present without anemia. Iron in meat is more easily absorbed than iron in vegetables but this mineral is also found in lentils, beans, poultry, fish, leafy vegetables, tofu, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, blackstrap molasses, fortified bread, and fortified breakfast cereals. This study was presented September 5, 2010 at the European Society of Cardiology’s Congress 2010 in Stockholm.
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