Anemia Symptoms

Because a low red blood cell count decreases oxygen delivery to every tissue in the body, anemia causes many signs and symptoms. It makes almost any other underlying medical condition worse. For example, if you have an underlying heart problem and become anemic, you are more likely to have problems associated with your heart disease than you would have if you were not anemic.

How severe the anemia is will determine how severe the signs and symptoms will be.

• Signs of anemia may include the following:
  
  
  • Black and tarry stools (sticky and foul smelling)
    
    
  • Maroon, or visibly bloody stools
    
    
  • Rapid heart rate
    
    
  • Rapid breathing
    
    
  • Pale or cold skin
    
    
  • Yellow skin called jaundice
    
    
  • Low blood pressure
    
    
  • Heart murmur
    
    
  • Enlargement of the spleen
  
  
• Symptoms of anemia may include the following:
  
  
  • Fatigue
    
    
  • Trouble breathing
    
    
  • Chest pain
    
    
  • Abdominal pain
    
    
  • Weight loss
    
    
  • Weakness
    
    
  • Dizziness and passing out, especially upon standing