Heart Attack
Eating disorders commonly raise the risk for having a heart attack. Anorexia and bulimia both create huge imbalances in the electrolytic balance of the blood, things like hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, either of these two issues can instigate a heart attack.
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. Mineral and electrolyte imbalances, common with bulimia, can lead to cardiac arrest. Although unlikely, there is a risk of heart attack the very first time someone purges.
For those with eating disorders, the only way to lower one’s risk of a heart attack is to receive prompt, professional treatment. In the case of someone with long-term, severe anorexia, heart disease is very likely to occur. A heart attack may in fact be the most common form of death for people with eating disorders.
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.