Anemia can cause which of the following cardiac symptoms?

Anemia can cause which of the following cardiac symptoms?

• A. Irregular heartbeat
• B. Increased appetite
• C. Increased blood pressure
• D. Improved endurance

Answer: (A)

When oxygen delivery is reduced in anemia, the heart compensates by pumping more quickly and forcefully to meet tissue needs. This increased workload can produce palpitations or an irregular heartbeat as the heart rhythm becomes more variable under stress. The other options don’t fit typical cardiac signs of anemia: appetite isn’t a heart symptom, high blood pressure isn’t a hallmark of the anemia-related cardiac response (many people with anemia have normal or low blood pressure), and endurance tends to decrease, not improve, because muscles receive less oxygen during activity.

When oxygen delivery is reduced in anemia, the heart compensates by pumping more quickly and forcefully to meet tissue needs. This increased workload can produce palpitations or an irregular heartbeat as the heart rhythm becomes more variable under stress. The other options don’t fit typical cardiac signs of anemia: appetite isn’t a heart symptom, high blood pressure isn’t a hallmark of the anemia-related cardiac response (many people with anemia have normal or low blood pressure), and endurance tends to decrease, not improve, because muscles receive less oxygen during activity.