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Eating Disorders and Heart Health: Why Awareness Matters This Month

  • Writer: Panhandle Nutrition Therapy
    Panhandle Nutrition Therapy
  • 55 minutes ago
  • 3 min read


February holds special meaning in the world of health and wellness. It is both Eating Disorder Awareness Month and Heart Health Month, making it the perfect time to shine a light on an important — and often overlooked — connection: the powerful relationship between eating disorders and the heart.


Eating disorders are frequently misunderstood. Many people assume they are simply about food, weight, or appearance. In reality, eating disorders are serious and complex mental health conditions that affect the entire body, including one of its most vital organs: the heart.


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Raising awareness this month is not about blame or fear — it is about compassion, understanding, and encouraging support for those who may be struggling.



The Heart Needs Nourishment to Function


The heart is a muscle that works nonstop, beating over 100,000 times each day. To do that job, it depends on consistent fuel, nutrients, electrolytes, and hydration.

When eating patterns become disrupted through restriction, purging, bingeing, or over-exercising, the body may not get what it needs to maintain healthy cardiovascular function. Over time, this can place tremendous stress on the heart.


Eating disorders can contribute to:

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

  • Slowed heart rate (bradycardia)

  • Low blood pressure

  • Electrolyte imbalances

  • Increased risk of fainting or dizziness

  • Long-term cardiovascular complications


In severe cases, cardiac complications are one of the most serious medical risks associated with eating disorders.


Importantly, these risks can occur in people of any body size. Eating disorders do not always “look” a certain way — but the internal effects on the body can be significant regardless of outward appearance.



Why Eating Disorders Affect the Cardiovascular System


Eating disorders impact the heart in several ways:


  • Nutrient Deficiency

    When the body is not receiving enough calories or essential nutrients, it begins conserving energy. The heart may slow down, and muscle tissue can weaken over time.

  • Electrolyte Changes

    Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium help regulate heartbeat. Purging behaviors or severe restriction can disrupt these levels, increasing the risk of dangerous arrhythmias.

  • Dehydration and Circulation Issues

Inadequate hydration can lower blood volume, making it harder for the heart to pump efficiently. This may lead to fatigue, cold extremities, or lightheadedness.

These physical effects highlight why eating disorder recovery is not only emotional and psychological — it is also deeply tied to medical stability and heart health.



Awareness Is About Compassion, Not Judgment


Eating Disorder Awareness Month reminds communities that no one chooses to have an eating disorder, and recovery is possible with the right care and support.


Heart Health Month also encourages people to care for their bodies — not through dieting, restriction, or shame, but through sustainable habits that support overall well-being.


True heart health includes both physical nourishment and emotional well-being.



Actionable Ways to Support Both Heart and Mental Health


For those looking to promote wellness this month, here are a few gentle and realistic steps:


1. Focus on Nourishment, Not Perfection

Balanced meals help stabilize energy, mood, metabolism, and heart function. Health is not about eating perfectly — it is about eating enough and eating consistently.

2. Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or obsessive thoughts about food may signal the need for professional support.

3. Challenge Diet Culture Messages

Heart health is not about shrinking bodies. Restrictive dieting can sometimes mask disordered eating patterns and harm both mental and physical health.

4. Encourage Open Conversations

Supportive, stigma-free conversations can reduce shame and help individuals feel less alone. Listening without judgment is powerful.

5. Seek Help Early

Eating disorders are treatable, and early intervention improves both mental recovery and physical outcomes, including cardiovascular health.



A Message of Hope


This February, awareness can be more than a campaign — it can be a turning point.

By recognizing the connection between eating disorders and heart health, communities can better support those who are struggling and remind everyone that health includes both mind and body.


Recovery is possible. Hearts — in every sense — deserve care, nourishment, and compassion. Ready to take a step towards healing with a compassionate provider? Book an appointment today!




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