title: Cardiac changes in anorexia nervosa.
abstract: Introduction Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder, which is associated with many different medical complications as a result of the weight loss and malnutrition that characterise this illness. It has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. A large portion of deaths are attributable to the cardiac abnormalities that ensue as a result of the malnutrition associated with anorexia nervosa. In this review, the cardiac complications of anorexia nervosa will be discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive literature review on cardiac changes in anorexia nervosa was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are structural, functional, and rhythm-type changes that occur in patients with anorexia nervosa. These become progressively significant as ongoing weight loss occurs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac changes are inherent to anorexia nervosa and they become more life-threatening and serious as the anorexia nervosa becomes increasingly severe. Weight restoration and attention to these cardiac changes are crucial for a successful treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychiatry,Eating Recovery Center,Denver,Colorado,United States of America.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Spaulding-Barclay
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychiatry,Eating Recovery Center,Denver,Colorado,United States of America.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychiatry,Eating Recovery Center,Denver,Colorado,United States of America.
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mehler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Anorexia nervosa; bradycardia; cardiovascular; malnutrition; ventricular