Electrocardiographic findings associated with very low calorie dieting
H C Seim1, J E Mitchell, C Pomeroy
1Department of Family Practice and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55414, USA.
Objective:
To determine the safety of very low calorie diets (VLCD) in regard to their effects on cardiac function.
Design:
EKG changes were analyzed for 126 women on a VLCD of 3349 kJ/d (800 kcal/d). EKGs were done when the diet was begun, after 3 months of dieting, and at a 6 month follow up after being off the diet for 3 months.
Setting:
Subjects were solicited through advertisements and charged $1,000 for participating after being screened for age, weight, and health status.
Main Outcome Measures:
EKG QTc intervals, PR interval, QRS interval, ST-T wave changes, and heart rate.
Results:
Over one-fourth (27.0%) of subjects had normal EKGs at all three time points studied. Sinus bradycardia was the most common abnormality, observed in 60 subjects (47.6%) on at least one of the three EKGs. Fifty-eight (46%) patients had EKGs with ST-T wave abnormalities observed on at least one of the EKGs. Eight subjects (6.4%) had prolonged QTc (more than one standard deviation beyond the average for women) intervals on at least one EKG. None of these eight persons had significant untoward medical consequences.
Conclusion:
A VLCD diet of 3349 kJ/d (800 kcal/d) for up to 3 months is not associated with significant electrocardiographic abnormalities or clinical cardiac complications, provided the patients have low cardiovascular risk at baseline.
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