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Why is it harder to replace blood in elderly patients? Understanding age-related challenges

The prevalence of anemia in individuals over 80 years old can be as high as 50%, highlighting a significant age-related challenge in blood management. A myriad of interconnected physiological changes means that replacing blood in elderly patients is harder and requires a more cautious, nuanced approach from healthcare providers. Age affects everything from the cardiovascular system's ability to cope with fluid shifts to the bone marrow's capacity to produce new blood cells.