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.