Hematologic Disorders and Heart Disease

Abstract

Anemia, polycythemia, leukemia and sickle cell disease can affect heart function. Anemic patients may have tachycardia, bounding pulse and angina. With polycythemia, patients may become hypertensive because of increased peripheral resistance.

Leukemia cells can infiltrate the myocardium and cause heart failure or arrhythmias. Pain, fever, murmurs, joint pain and thrombi during a sickle cell crisis suggest bacterial endocarditis or recurrent acute rheumatic fever.