Should I be worried that my heart rate is extremely low?

A couple months ago I had a physical and my heart was fine. Last week I had another one (I have had them so frequently because I'm recovering from Bulimia) and my heart rate was in the low 40's. I'm worried it's because I'm not eating enough (although I'm not anorexic)....could anything happen? Like a heart attack or something?

[dolfnlvr]

Hi there.  I know exactly what you are going through...I've experienced it.  When I was 17 I had an eating disorder (I guess you could say I still do--like alcoholism) and my heart rate was disturbingly low in the 30's.

The cause for this can be varied, but given your description of your situation I can make some educated guesses.  Number one, if you are still purging your electrolyte levels could be unbalanced, and that CAN BE DANGEROUS.  Having unbalanced electrolyte levels for an extended period of time CAN lead to heart attack or deadly arrhythmias.  

However, if you are no longer purging, and yet are eating a very low calorie diet, your electrolytes may be fairly normal.  What will happen in this situation is that your metabolism will convert to "starvation mode."  This reduces heart rate, respiration and circulation to the extremities is reduced (do you notice yourself being cold when everyone else is hot or "fine?").  For a short period of time this form of bradycardia is not damaging to the heart muscle.  However, with extended periods of extremely low caloric intake, you will notice that the reduced heart rate will also result in reduced blood pressure and the liklihood of your passing out "for no reason" is increased 10 fold.  Also, the longer you restrict your diet and/or continue to purge yourself, the more likely you are to cause irrepairable damage to the heart muscle itself (it can only rebound from these abuses so often before it begins to show signs of wear and tear).  

I'm glad to hear that you are receiving treatment for your eating disorder.  It is a dangerous condition, but it takes a strong hold.  Even when we realize that we are literally playing with our lives it is hard to change, isn't it?  

If at all possible, see a nutritionist and get yourself a balanced meal plan.  I found that the ONLY way I could balance my eating habits when I was first recovering was to discuss my goals with a nutritionist, develop a VERY PRESCRIBED REGIMINE and I stuck to it 100% to get myself healthy.  From there, we were able to "loosen things up" a bit.  I don't know about you, but having such a tight hold on my eating habits meant that I was unwilling to relinquish that control right away.  The HEALTHY and 100% PRESCRIBED meal plan was a good way to ensure my health AND begin to change some pretty scary behaviors.

Good luck to you.  Please let us know if you need or want more information about ANYTHING.

Take care.
April

[Question99]

wow. Thank you. I didn't actually expect a real person to answer me...
Yes, it is hard. After a year and a half of binging and purging 5 times daily, I had a seizure and finally told my mom what was going on. We couldn't afford treatment though so, although I'm recovering now, I'm doing it for myself. I haven't thrown up in 37 days. Its amazing. I eat around 500-600 calories a day though. I just want to lose the weight I put on with binging...I know its an "extreme diet" but I don't think I'm anorexic. I don't OBSESS over calories or weighing myself or food, but I don't eat much either. I've lost most of the weight and I weigh a little more than 105 pounds (I'm 5'5") but I'm worried I won't be able to adjust to a normal diet again. I really can't afford a nutritionist and I don't have any medical coverage whatsoever. I'm just worried that my heart rate is a sign that maybe things are out of control again...in a different sort of way. I don't know. Anyway....I really appreciate the reply. It was unexpected. Thank you.

[Question99]

*oh and by the way I USED to have medical coverage when I got the physicals but now I'm living in another state with my grandparents and I'm not covered anymore

[dolfnlvr]

Hi again.  
      Things ARE out of control again.  I'm not saying that to scare you, or to nag you, but if you are eating only 5-600 calories a day and your heart rate is "in the 40's," then you are spiraling and you are definitely displaying anorexic tendencies.  
     Kudos to you for doing so well in stopping the binge/purge cycle!!!  37 days is an accomplishment, especially doing it alone.  But you need proper nutrition in order to keep your strength, your blood iron levels, and your general health in good shape.  
     I HATE that you are not receiving expert help, but there are some "diets" out there that are healthier than what you are describing and that will help you get healthier again.  They have specific, daily menus that can be similar to those that a nutritionist would prepare.  You need to be eating AT LEAST 1200 CALORIES PER DAY!!!!!!!!  Less than that and you are REALLY playing with fire!!!!

     There is an eating disorder forum here that you can visit for more discussion.  The web address is http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/165.  Also, there is an expert forum, visited by doctors who will offer help to you at the following address http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/268.  Please consider visiting these sites and getting some help/support.  

    You can always contact me by clicking on my blue name and leaving a personal message.  I'm glad to help in any way that I can.

Take care!!