Heart disease is the most common medical cause of death in people with severe anorexia. In long-term, severe anorexia, heart disease is very likely to occur. The effects of eating disorders on the heart are numerous and difficult to reverse.
Cardiovascular risk factors with eating disorder include:
Dangerous heart rhythms may show up even in teenagers with anorexia.
Bradycardia is a slowness of the heartbeat, usually at a rate under 60 beats per minute (normal resting rate is 60 - 100 beats per minute).
Blood flow is reduced
Blood pressure may drop
The heart muscles starve, losing size
Cholesterol levels tend to rise
Heart attack
Atherosclerosis
Arrhythmias in the heart
Stroke
Heart failure
Angina
Arteriosclerosis
For those with eating disorders, the only way to lower one’s cardiovascular risk is to receive prompt, professional treatment. Often, a residential program is required.
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