Heart failure and factors related to iron deficiency anemia, as well as its higher incidence in women

Abstract

The study aims to elucidate whether heart failure and factors related to iron deficiency anemia may be associated, as well as its higher incidence in women. The PubMed database (US National Library of Medicine) was used, with scientific data from August 1, 2023, with the “female” filter, without language restrictions. Iron deficiency (ID) has relevant rates in patients with heart failure (HF). Modifications in iron homeostasis lead to a defect in its transport and use, explained by the systemic inflammatory response induced by severe HF, which is more common in females. This prevalence in women is related to several factors such as the regulation of iron levels by hormones and the Immune response. The prevalence of ID increases with the severity of cardiac dysfunction, as iron is essential for high-energy reactions required by muscular demand. Furthermore, the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by it causes adverse effects on the contractility and relaxation of cardiomyocytes. DI in HF has been shown to be a factor that contributes to increased mortality and worse quality of life, in addition to being associated with the increasing number of hospitalizations. Although this independent factor contributes to the worsening of heart failure, especially in females, intravenous iron supplementation in patients with HF can lead to na improvement in symptoms, highlighting the benefits over the side effects.