Anaemia/takotsubo

[Waltermum]

In April I was in hospital with Takotsubo event. Came out after week, feeling much better.2 weeks ago started feeling breathless, shaky, racing pulse, very week walking very short distances.

Admitted to emergency ward on Monday with very low blood pressure and hemoglobin. Given 2 x transfusions of bloods and 1 x iron. Felt much better. Came out of hospital feeling almost normal. Relieved as I was told not my heart but I was anaemic. I can deal with that!

However, Thursday, today I'm starting to feel a bit dizzy again. Does this all mean I will have to have MORE blood transfusions?? Very concerned. Any ideas please?

Avril

[Happyrosie]

personally I think you need to be checked out by a medical person. Dizziness might be caused by anything (or nothing!).

Maybe try 111?

[fishonabike]

Hello, as someone who has had Takotsubo may i suggest that you also join a group which supports people with Takotsubo, like the Facebook Takotsubo Support Group ( i am a member and can say that it is safe, well moderated and supportive)

Anaemia means that you are short of the stuff in your blood which helps carry oxygen (haemoglobin) - you need oxygen to help your body convert food to the energy which powers everything. So if you are anaemic you get tired easily, and you feel short of breath because your body can't get enough oxygen and it can make you feel dizzy because your brain is not getting enough oxygen and energy

Anaemia also means that your heart has to work harder to try to keep your oxygen levels up, this makes huge demands on your heart and can lead to heart problems if you are anaemic for long periods

there is a higher than normal incidence of people with anaemia among people who have Takostubo - it is probably one of the underlying conditions which can trigger a Takotsubo episode in the right(wrong) situation

Takotsubo was thought to be caused by a sudden shock or distress, and many health professionals still think this - but it is now known that the causes of Takotsubo are much more varied and complex - also recovery from Takotsubo can take much longer than most doctors predict, particularly if the person has other ongoing conditions.

This is a very long way to say that i think you need to have the cause of your anaemia investigated and, if necessary treated - meanwhile i feel that you need to give your heart longer to recover fully

[Waltermum in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you. I am indeed being called in for further tests soon. As there is so much unknown on Takotsubo, I too believe they're connected, so that's good to hear your thoughts on it too. I do think it will take a while to investigate so I just need to rest and give myself and my heart a break. Cheers fishonabike for taking the time to reply.

[fishonabike in reply to Waltermum]

i am glad to hear that you are having further investigations

while it is true to say that there is much unknown about Takotsubo, there is more info aavilable thanmany doctors are aware of - as you know, it is not a common condition and doctors don't have time to keep up with every development, so those of us who have had Takotsubo tend to find that we need to find out stuff for ourselves and share it - this is why i suggested that you also join a more specific group, where you could find relevant information and support

allowing your heart to recover in it's own time seems to be an important factor after Takotsubo, so i hope you are able to give yourself the opportunity to do that

[Waltermum in reply to fishonabike]

Yes, I'm a member of the fb group. Very kind and understanding group. Makes you feel your not on your own, especially when you have never heard of it before!

[fishonabike in reply to Waltermum]

i'm glad to hear that - i know there have been questions about anaemia there too