Bulimia and Heart Disease – Part 2

Long term low potassium levels will lead to heart disease. But there are other dangers of bulimia that will lead to heart disease. A bulimic eating disorder includes binge eating and that binging doesn’t usually include vegetables and fruits but instead animal fats and processed foods. When people who binge eat and then exercise excessively to take off those calories eat high fat foods they also put themselves at higher risk for high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and Type 2 Diabetes.

The end result of all of these symptoms is bulimia and heart disease.

Although people with bulimia usually are normal weight, or even a little overweight, there are some instances when sufferers are also underweight from lack of nutrition. People who are 15% less than normal weight also are at risk for heart conditions and kidney failure. Without enough body fat to keep body organs and other parts healthy, malnutrition can result in death.

Most studies of people suffering from bulimia, which isn’t accompanied by severe weight loss, have a better chance of recovery than those patients with concurrent anorexia.

A study reported in 2002 found that people who suffered from eating disorders while they were adolescents had a higher risk of psychological and medical problems that included circulatory disorders such as high blood pressure and at higher risk of bone fractures, chronic fatigue, headache and insomnia.

Resources:

Johns Hopkins Medicine: Bulimia Nervosa

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/mental_health_disorders/bulimia_nervosa_85,P00751/

HelpGuide: Bulimia Nervosa

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bulimia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm

Eating Disorder Referral and information Center: Consequences of Eating Disorders

http://edreferral.com/consequences_of_ed.htm

Bulimia Eating Disorders: The Lasting Effects of Bulimia

http://www.bulimiaeatingdisorders.com/lasting-bulimia-effects.php

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Bulimia Nervosa

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=149448

Boston Children’s Hospital: Bulimia Nervosa