Sonja/: Anemia & High Blood Pressure

[Guest guest]

Sonja:

I was thinking about your post to this evening while doing some

last-minute *****THERAPEUTIC****** holiday housecleaning. (In keeping with the

research uncovered by Marsha, I'm reallllllllly trying to keep my risk of

endometrial cancer low by scrubbin' and vacuumin' and polishin' and

dustin'.....:-)

Anyway, in your interesting post, you suggested that 's hypertension

may be related to resolution of her longtime anemia. Hmmmmmmmmm.....

I might have gotten a few dust bunnies and cobwebs in my brain from cleaning

the last few hours--so bear with me........ but this is what I think.

Actually, I'm gonna disagree with you. I'm not a blood expert; I'm just, as

some people would say....... an S.O.B.!!!!..... (Student of Blood). :-)

But I think the relationship of anemia and hypertension may be the *opposite*

of what you suggested. I think!

Untreated hypertension may CAUSE a kind of anemia, but I don't believe the

opposite is correct--I do NOT believe 's HBP could have brought on by

her long-term anemia, caused by iron deficiency.

Here's why......

POINT I.

As we know, untreated hypertension may damage blood vessels. And if vessel

damage occurs in the kidneys, then kidney function may be altered. One of the

functions of the kidney is the production.of erythropoietin, the hormone which

signals the production of red blood cells.

So, hypothetically, a patient, like , with hypertension, may develop

the type of anemia associated with RED BLOOD PRODUCTION. (because of possible

alteration in erythropoietin production) Possibly, but not written in stone.

BUT--This is different than the type of anemia which and other LOL

like you had, based on BLOOD LOSS. You LOL did not have any glitch in the

*PRODUCTION* of red blood cells. Erythropoietin production should have been just

fine.....then, and now.....

POINT II

While it is true that the number of RBCs may affect the viscocity

(stickiness) of blood, as far as I know, now has a normal RBC count.

Her vessels

are perfectly capable of accommodating a *normal* viscosity. Going from

lowered to normal viscosity shouldn't be a problem. Although, many fluctuations

in

viscosity may affect elasticity, I don't think this is the case with

.

In contrast, I DO have hypervolumia (increased blood volume) AND

hyperviscosity

(thicker than normal, " sludgy " blood), and elevated red blood count indices.

Given this taxing " combo " (which should cause high cardiac output, that is,

how forcefully the heart pumps with each beat)one might expect me to be the

poster woman for high blood pressure.

But, but.......noooooooooo! I actually have LOW blood pressure--at the

moment, anyway! (*Befor*e doing the housework!!!)

As I mentioned, I'm having a bit of " housework headache " at the moment,

(while thinking of hematology) --which may have affected my thinking, so if you

see

any flaws in my reasoning, or if I've overlooked something, let me know!

Roma,

S.O. B.

In a message dated 4/9/2004 4:42:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

greenvu@... writes:

I'm sorry to hear that you are living with high blood pressure. Glad that

you are keeping a close watch on it. You might be on to something relating

chronic anemia to high blood pressure. Yes, living with severe anemia for

many years (from uterine bleeding) may be linked to your high blood pressure

once your anemia was resolbed. Your body adjusts itself to low hemoglobin

so that the brain has enough oxygen to keep you upright. So the heart has

to pump faster and harder and the blood vessels have to adjust their walls

to react to the increased amount of blood that is pumping through the body.

Makes sense to have the symptom of higher blood pressure after the anemia

disappears and you are left with a body that has been running on " low " for

so long. The more red blood cells you have, the more viscous your blood

becomes making it pass through your blood vessels at a slower rate. This

can elevate the vessel pressure.