Question:
Problems with heart due to weight loss?
Seems as though I have heard of cases of heart problems occurring after enormous weight loss? Anyone else know of such problems? Was this because weight loss was so rapid? — m S. (posted on August 29, 2001)
August 29, 2001
Well, I admit I don't know a lot about this, but the only heart problems
associated with a large weight loss were related to electrolyte imbalances,
i.e heart failure due to not enough potassium intake, which can happen.
Perhaps others know of other causes. That's the only one that I have heard
of. Also read in the medical literature that one reason for WLS folks
needing to maintain a good daily protein intake is because with our low
caloric intake, if the body doesn't receive enough protein, it will begin
to burn muscle (like the folks pictured in concentration camps who were on
long-term starvation diets), including heart. So I guess it is really
important to get the water in to not get dehydrated and end up in the
hospital for IV rehydration therapy, to get as much protein a day as
possible, and to take the multi-vitamins and minerals daily, especially the
RDA of calcium and iron we don't absorb readily from our abbreviated GI
tract, plus the RDA of potassium. Those are the only things I've heard
about.
— Lisa D.
August 29, 2001
I'd like to know too. I have developed supra ventricular tachycardia (so
they believe) since losing over 100#. I'd be interested in hearing if this
is happening to others.
— Cindy H.
August 29, 2001
I've lost 103 pounds to date (46 to go). Several weeks ago I experienced a
severe rapid heart rate and uneveness of breath. I went to the cardio guy
and he diagnosed atrial fibrulation (sp). It meant that the top part of my
heart was beating too fast and out of cadence with the other part of my
heart. I had a stress echo/ekg and passed with flying colors. They have
me on cumodin, lanoxin and other "stuff" to slow it down. The
next step is to have electric cardiac shock therapy (like in cpr when they
yell "clear" and zappo! Not something I'm looking forward to.
I'm voting to trying the meds a little longer. Both my PCP and my cardio
are clueless why this happened now (my heart is healthier now than ever
before). Neither one is saying it was from WLS.
— JOANNA S.
August 31, 2001
I have developed low blood pressure after losing 60 pounds very quickly. I
was fainting and having siezures,i was not able to hold down food or
liquids , no more then 2 tablespoons, i had been banded. I was put on
promacide to raise my blood pressure.
— Kathryn W.
Click Here to Return