Chronic heart disease and anemia are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, often leading to hospitalization, especially in patients with heart failure. Anemia, which affects a considerable portion of individuals with heart disease, is linked to factors like iron deficiency and chronic inflammation. Effective treatment options, such as heme iron supplements like Optifer®, offer improved absorption and tolerability compared to traditional non-heme iron therapies.

1. Chronic heart disease and Anaemia
Heart failure is a very common disease, with
severe morbidity and mortality, and is a
frequent reason of hospitalization.
Anemia and a concurrent renal impairment are
two major risk factors contributing to the
severity of the outcome.

2. Chronic heart disease and Anaemia
Anemia in heart failure is complex and
multifactorial.
Hemodilution, absolute or functional iron
deficiency, activation of the inflammatory
cascade, and impaired erythropoietin
production and activity are some
pathophysiological mechanisms involved in
anemia of heart failure

3. Chronic heart disease and Anaemia
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most
frequent causes of death worldwide.
Heart failure is an enormous medical and
societal burden and a leading cause of
hospitalization.
It is estimated that 2.6 millions hospitalizations
annually in the USA are due to heart failure as a
primary or secondary diagnosis.

4. Chronic heart disease and Anaemia
Anemia is common in patients with heart
disease. It is present in approximately one third
of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF)
and 10% to 20% of patients with coronary heart
disease (CHD)

5. More than one-quarter of the world's
population is anemic. Approximately one-half of
this burden is a result of iron deficiency anemia,
being most prevalent among preschool children
and women.
The diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of iron
deficiency is obviously a major public health
goal, especially in low- and middle-income
countries.
Chronic heart disease and Anaemia

6. Chronic heart disease and Anaemia
Anemia of chronic inflammation is the most
common cause of anemia and occurs in 58% of
heart failure patients with anemia.
Anemia of inflammation and chronic disease is a
type of anemia that commonly occurs with
chronic, or long term, illnesses or infections.

7. Solution
The absorption of heme iron is several times
higher and the side-effects rate significantly
lower than for non-heme oral iron.
Heme iron is absorbed through a separate pathway and does not
have to be discontinued when intravenous treatment is started.
This can allow for longer intervals between resource-heavy,
inconvenient and painful injections. Oxidative stress is also
avoided.
Heme iron does not need to be discontinued during injection or
EPO therapy like non-heme oral iron.

8. OptiFer®
The OptiFer® series of iron food supplements
are safe, efficient and very well tolerated, which
is crucial for therapy success.
They can be used over longer periods with no
change in efficacy or tolerance.