By Mark Warren, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Emily Program
An important topic that comes up relatively frequently with my patients in eating disorder treatment is whether those with low heart rates are at risk. The answer is absolutely yes. A low heart rate is a very significant risk and requires immediate attention.
There is a belief held by some that low heart rates are normal – and safe – in adolescents who are athletes. However, this is not supported by evidence and, in fact, it is almost certainly untrue.
The notion of an athlete’s heart comes from a specific subgroup of the population whose hearts are larger, stronger, and more effective at pumping blood than the rest of us. This is quite different from adolescents with eating disorders.
When patients with anorexia suffer significant weight loss and low heart rates, which doctors refer to as bradycardia, it results in a shrinking of the heart size. In this way, the heart is protecting itself in a malnourished state. Functionally, this is the exact opposite of an athlete’s situation. With eating disorders, low heart rates are not signs of strong hearts instead, they are signs of weak hearts.
Because eating disorders are rarely taught throughout medical training, it is quite common to meet professionals who are not well educated on the literature regarding medical complications from eating disorders. It is up to us in the field to help bring this information to primary care physicians and other providers.
It is critical that if you or someone you love has bradycardia you seek treatment immediately, both initially to correct the low heart rate and then more expansively to treat the eating disorder itself. Cardiac issues are the No. 1 cause of early mortality from eating disorders. But with treatment, they can be prevented.
Call 888-364-5977 for help now.
The Emily Program is a University of Minnesota Medical School Affiliate
Copyright © 2019 - Emily Program. All rights reserved.
By clicking “Send” below, you are indicating that you understand and agree to these terms regarding the use of your information:
The information you submit on this form will be used internally for the purposes of processing and responding to your request. It may be routed internally in order to find the most appropriate member of staff to handle your request and your contact information will only be used to respond to your inquiry if you indicate permission to do so.
In addition, the information submitted may become a part of the patient’s permanent chart or treatment record at The Emily Program upon their utilization of The Emily Program services, and this information may be used in the planning of treatment and care provided to the patient. At the time the patient utilizes The Emily Program services, The Emily Program’s Notice of Privacy Practices and other HIPAA and information privacy and security policies will apply to the information submitted on this form and to any other information that The Emily Program maintains about the patient and the care provided to the patient.
Your information has been submitted.