Eating healthy is one of the best ways to keep your body strong and running well. The nutrients from food provide energy, repair damage, and support your heart and other vital organs. But when you don’t eat enough or don’t eat the right foods, your body can start to break down.
Without proper nutrition, the body struggles to get the energy it needs. Over time, it begins to break down its own tissues, including muscles, for fuel. This can be dangerous because your heart is a muscle, and it can weaken, too. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are especially harmful. Each year, over 3.3 million healthy life years are lost worldwide due to eating disorders. Even worse, about 20% of non-natural deaths among people with eating disorders are due to suicide.
Eating disorders don’t just lead to weight loss—they can also cause serious health issues, including heart problems like uneven heartbeats or weak heart muscles. Poor eating habits affect the body in many ways, and one of the first areas to suffer is the heart.
Do Eating Disorders Cause Heart Problems?
Yes, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can harm your heart. When you don’t eat enough, your body doesn’t get the nutrients and energy it needs. This can weaken your muscles, and since your heart is a muscle, it can be affected too.
For example, people with anorexia often suffer from severe malnutrition. This can make the heart muscle shrink and cause the heartbeat to slow down, a condition called bradycardia. Bulimia, on the other hand, often involves vomiting or using laxatives, which can mess up your body’s electrolytes. These are minerals like potassium and sodium that help keep your heart beating normally. When they’re out of balance, it can lead to serious issues like irregular heartbeats or even sudden heart failure.
Here are some heart problems that can be caused by eating disorders:
- An irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia, happens when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or unevenly.
- A weakened heart muscle means the heart has lost strength and struggles to pump blood properly.
- Low blood pressure occurs when there isn’t enough pressure to circulate blood effectively throughout the body.
- Heart failure happens when the heart is too weak to keep up with the body’s needs for blood and oxygen.
- Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious and life-threatening condition caused by severe irregular heart rhythms.
You might also notice warning signs that your heart is struggling because of an eating disorder. These can include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Weakness or extreme tiredness
- A racing, fast, or pounding heartbeat
- Swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles
- Trouble breathing, especially during simple tasks
These symptoms can signal serious heart issues. If you experience any of these, it’s important to see a doctor immediately.
Preventing Heart Issues from Eating Disorders
Protecting your heart from the effects of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia is possible with the right steps. Here’s how you can manage, prevent, and treat both the eating disorder and the heart problems it can cause.
1. Get Professional Support
Start by reaching out to a doctor, therapist, or dietitian. A medical team can diagnose any heart problems and create a recovery plan suited to you. This may include addressing malnutrition, improving eating habits, and treating heart-related complications.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
Work towards eating regular meals that include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. A dietitian can help you create a meal plan that restores nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and sodium, which are critical for heart function.
3. Check Your Heart Regularly
Since eating disorders can damage the heart, regular tests like electrocardiograms (ECGs) can help monitor your heart’s health. Your doctor may also check for issues like low blood pressure or irregular heartbeats.
4. Focus on Therapy
Eating disorders often have emotional triggers. Therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help by teaching you to cope with stress and unhealthy thoughts about food and body image. Therapy addresses the underlying causes of the disorder, promoting long-term recovery.
5. Treat Existing Heart Problems
If your eating disorder has already affected your heart, medical care can help repair some of the damage. For example, your doctor might recommend treatments to balance electrolytes, medications to regulate your heart rhythm, or even hospitalization if the problem is severe.
6. Join a Support Group
Joining a support group for eating disorders or heart health provides a sense of community. Hearing other people’s recovery stories can inspire you and remind you that you’re not alone in facing these challenges.
7. Stay Educated About Risks
Learn about how eating disorders affect your body, especially your heart. Knowing the warning signs of heart issues like chest pain, fainting, or extreme fatigue can help you act fast if symptoms develop.
Addressing Eating Disorders Early
It’s important to deal with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia as soon as possible. Tackling them early can stop serious health problems, especially ones that hurt the heart, before they get worse. Acting quickly gives you a better chance to recover fully and avoid lasting damage to your body and mind.
Early assistance, whether from a support group, therapist, or physician, can have a significant impact. It is easier to recover and safeguard your health if you begin treatment as soon as possible. Keep in mind that getting better is possible and that starting today can result in a better, healthier future.