Weight management is beneficial to heart health, but losing weight too quickly may cause cardiac problems, such as arrhythmias. Researchers are still trying to learn more.
Weight loss is a common recommendation for people who want to improve their heart health. But most health professionals recommend shedding pounds gradually through moderate and sustainable lifestyle changes.
Extreme diets might help you lose a lot of weight quickly, but they’re not easy to maintain. In addition, rapid weight loss can cause side effects , such as dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
Some research suggests that rapid weight loss might also contribute to heart problems such as arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). Keep reading to learn more about this connection.
Can rapid weight loss cause heart arrhythmia?
Human and animal studies suggest a link between sudden or extreme weight loss and arrhythmia .
For example, the authors of a 2020 animal study reported an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia in male rats who underwent a dieting intervention that reduced their body weight by 16% over 2 weeks. They suggested a need for similar studies on weight loss in humans.
The authors of a 2016 study analyzed the heartbeats of 26 people who lost an average of 13% of their body weight over 8 weeks. They reported a potential link between rapid weight loss and abnormal electrical impulses in the heart.
However, additional high quality, large-scale studies are needed to understand the connection between weight loss and arrhythmia.
Other factors related to weight loss, such as the type of diet , could contribute to the development of an irregular heart rhythm.
For example, after following more than 13,000 people for an average of 22 years, the authors of a 2019 study reported that a low carb diet increased the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) , a type of arrhythmia that can lead to serious complications.
A 2022 study also links poor nutrition, which may contribute to rapid weight loss, to cardiac arrhythmias. Researchers proposed various reasons for this link, including:
- electrolyte imbalances
- a lack of trace elements and vitamins
- inflammation
- damage to the inner lining of arteries in the heart
Causes of rapid weight loss and arrhythmia
Factors other than diet that may contribute to both rapid weight loss and arrhythmias include:
- Extreme exercise: A 2023 case report describes a male athlete who developed an arrhythmia after rapid weight loss and high intensity training.
- Dietary supplements: A 2018 case report identified an otherwise healthy 47-year-old person who experienced ventricular fibrillation , a potentially life threatening arrhythmia, after taking weight-loss supplements. The authors identified three previous case reports in the medical literature linking the weight-loss supplement Hydroxycut to cardiac arrhythmias.
- Weight-loss surgery: A 2020 study notes that bariatric surgery , a procedure that typically causes significant weight loss, might also increase the risk of an arrhythmia.
More research is needed to understand how these factors affect your risk of developing an arrhythmia after rapid weight loss.
What arrhythmia symptoms should I look for when losing weight?
Arrhythmias can cause a variety of symptoms or no symptoms at all. Heart palpitations are a common sign of arrhythmia. It might feel like your heart is fluttering, racing, pounding, or skipping beats.
When an arrhythmia lasts long enough to affect your heart function, it can cause:
Call 911 or your local emergency services immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms such as chest pain combined with difficulty breathing, dizziness, or sudden collapse.
Rapid weight loss and heart problems
Obesity can damage heart health over time. According to the American Heart Association , losing weight can lower your risk of not only heart disease but also cancer and diabetes.
For people with obesity, weight loss is essential in reducing the risk of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib) . Experts recommend losing at least 10% of body weight to reduce AFib symptoms and progression.
But trying to shed pounds quickly through excessive dieting or other extreme measures may actually increase your risk. Experts recommend a sustained approach to weight loss with diet and exercise. Talk with a doctor about how to lose weight safely.
What is the treatment for arrhythmia after rapid weight loss?
Weight loss is often part of an arrhythmia treatment plan. If you’ve developed arrhythmia after rapid weight loss, a doctor may recommend:
Other common arrhythmia treatments include:
Consult a doctor to learn more about available treatments.
Can heart arrhythmias cause rapid weight loss?
A heart arrhythmia is unlikely to lead to sudden weight loss unless you also have another serious condition.
For example, arrhythmias like AFib are common among people with hyperthyroidism . An overactive thyroid can speed up your metabolism and cause rapid weight loss.
Rarely, people with heart failure may be at an increased risk of experiencing quick, unexplained, and extreme weight loss. This condition is called cachexia .
How can I manage my weight with a heart arrhythmia?
A solid weight-management strategy involves making small changes to your diet and lifestyle that you can maintain over the long term.
A heart arrhythmia doesn’t change that. However, it might change the types of activities you do. For example, a doctor might suggest more moderate forms of cardio, such as yoga , swimming, or walking.
It’s important to talk with a doctor before starting a new exercise program .
Frequently asked questions
Can losing weight cause heart palpitations?
Rapid weight loss might contribute to heart palpitations in some people, but more research is needed to know for sure. Diet pills , caffeine intake , and vigorous exercise could also increase your risk of heart palpitations.
What heart condition causes rapid weight loss?
Cardiac cachexia is a condition that causes sudden, unintentional, and extreme weight loss. It occurs in people who have advanced congestive heart failure .
What can cause unexplained weight loss after a heart attack?
Some people notice a change in their weight after a heart attack . Some experts propose that this could be due to depression and other mental health problems after a heart attack, though these are more likely to cause weight gain.
Rarely, weight loss may be due to cachexia resulting from congestive heart failure that develops after a heart attack. However, this usually occurs years after diagnosis.
Talk with a doctor to learn about potential causes if you experience unexplained weight loss .
Takeaway
Sudden, extreme weight loss might contribute to heart arrhythmia in some people, but more research is needed to understand the link.
There might also be an increased risk of developing an arrhythmia following activities linked to weight loss, such as high intensity exercise, use of dieting pills and supplements, or bariatric surgery.
If you want to lose weight, talk with a healthcare professional about how to incorporate moderate exercise into your day-to-day activities and adopt a heart-healthy diet .
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