title: Electrocardiographic findings associated with very low calorie dieting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the safety of very low calorie diets (VLCD) in regard to their effects on cardiac function.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were solicited through advertisements and charged $1,000 for participating after being screened for age, weight, and health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55414, USA.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Seim
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pomeroy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Zwaan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology