There is an opinion that anemic syndrome in the elderly is a normal phenomenon, from the point of view of physiology. The body is aging, which means that all its systems, including the hematopoietic, work worse. However, this is not the case. The basic causes of anemia in the elderly are comorbidities, many of which are chronic and last for a long time. Very often, anemia is detected by chance, for example, during hospitalization (in 75%) for various diseases.
Weakness, fatigue, frequent dizziness, palpitations, headaches, impairment of memory and attention are often perceived as an inevitable sign of the old age. However, these symptoms might simply indicate a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
What is special about anemia in the elderly?
Studies by hematologists in different countries show that about 40% of elder people have anemic syndrome Nonspecific manifestations of anemic syndrome in elderly could be masked by the symptoms of the basic disease, which often occurs at a later age (shortness of breath in heart and respiratory failure, dizziness in patients with vascular pathology of the brain, etc.). Often occurs as a result of many pathogenetic and etiological factors (combined deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, etc.).
Under the guise of anemia, in elderly could develop such chronic diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease. Many infections (osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, HIV) and tumors are accompanied by impaired iron metabolism and reduction in the erythrocytes’ life span.
The risk of death of CHF with anemia is 2 times higher than in patients without anemia Anemic syndrome in old age often leads to decompensation of existing diseases, among which the largest place is occupied by ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). Therapy of hematological syndrome requires an integrated approach using methods of treating the basic disease, pathogenetic (replacement) and symptomatic therapy.
Thus, ineffective treatment of the basic pathology leads to threatening consequences, resulting in emergency hospitalization, and sometimes death. However, the awareness of doctors and elderly patients about the prevalence of anemia would help to prevent this condition and maximize the quality of life.
© 2026 
