Causes And Complications Of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

High Blood Pressure

An individual with Diamond-Blackfan anemia may experience high blood pressure if they are being treated with corticosteroids. High blood pressure that occurs due to medication is referred to as drug-induced hypertension. All types of corticosteroids result in the retention of too much sodium in the body. Sodium and fluid are positively correlated, with fluid following sodium when it moves into and out of the body through sweat, urine, and stool. Corticosteroids cause the buildup of fluid in the body because they stop sodium from being eliminated in the sweat, urine, and stool the way it should. Increased fluid retention in the body causes an increased volume of blood because the excess fluid volume adds to the blood volume already circulating in the blood vessels. When there is more blood flowing through the veins and arteries than normal, the pressure inside of these structures becomes increased. This mechanism is similar to how the pressure inside a water hose increases as more water is being forced through it. This increased pressure in the blood vessels is referred to as high blood pressure. Corticosteroid-induced high blood pressure is one of the main reasons why these mediations are used for the shortest duration possible at the smallest effective dosage.