Anemia: Symptoms and Signs

The symptoms and signs of anemia vary depending on the severity of the condition. If anemia is mild, it may not cause any symptoms. If anemia is slowly ongoing (chronic), the body may adapt and compensate for the change; in this case there may not be any symptoms until the anemia becomes more severe.

Symptoms common to many types of anemia include the following:

• Weakness and fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Irritability and other mood disturbances
• Pale skin (however, healthy-looking skin color does not rule out anemia if a patient has risk factors)
• Mental confusion
• Leg cramps
• Insomnia

Symptoms of severe anemia may include:

• chest pain, angina, or heart attack
• dizziness
• fainting or passing out
• rapid heart rate