Thousands of overweight patients with an irregular heartbeat can REVERSE their deadly condition by losing 10% of their weight, landmark study finds
- Around 1 million people in Britain and 6 million in the US have atrial fibrillation
- The deadly condition can trigger a stroke and eventually lead to heart failure
- But losing weight can reverse the effects of the deadly condition, a study says
- The research provides the first evidence that losing weight can help patients
Fat people with an irregular heartbeat can reverse the condition simply by losing weight, a landmark study has found.
Around one million people in Britain and up to six times as many in the US suffer from atrial fibrillation, which can cause a stroke and heart failure.
But researchers have now found shedding the pounds for heart flutter patients can reverse the effects of the deadly condition.
They claimed a 10 per cent loss in weight is all it takes – the equivalent of a 13st patient losing 1st 7lbs.
Around one million people in Britain and up to six times as many in the US suffer from atrial fibrillation, which can cause a stroke and heart failure
The findings, made by Australian scientists, offer the first evidence that losing weight can help overweight patients with an irregular heartbeat.
Researchers at Adelaide University and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute made the discovery.
More than 350 overweight and obese people were included in the study, published in the medical journal Europace.
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Researchers led by Dr Melissa Middeldorp found just a 10 per cent drop in weight was all it took to reverse progression of the disease.
Patients who lost weight also experienced fewer symptoms, required less treatment and had better outcomes.
And those who previously had sustained symptoms experienced only intermittent symptoms or indeed stopped experiencing AF entirely.
WHAT IS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?
Around one million people in Britain and up to six times as many in the US suffer from atrial fibrillation, which can cause a stroke and heart failure.
Patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) – the most common cause of abnormal heart rhythm – often get symptoms which can respond to surgery or drugs.
The condition is triggered by abnormal electrical pulses in one or all four pulmonary veins leading from the lungs to the heart.
These extra pulses over-ride the heart’s natural rhythm, causing it to beat abnormally fast and triggering symptoms such as palpitations and dizziness.
Diagnosis and treatment are vital because left untreated, AF can cause blood to pool in the heart rather than being pumped through, causing clots to form.
If clots travel to the brain, they can block the blood supply, cause a stroke and also lead to heart failure.
Dr Middeldorp said: ‘Progression of the disease is shown to have a direct link with the degree of weight loss.
‘This is the first time evidence has been found that if people who are obese and are suffering from AF the disease can be alleviated by losing weight.’
Professor Prash Sanders, who was part of the study, claimed weight loss may even be an alternative to surgery or drugs.
He said: ‘This study shows weight-loss and treating lifestyle factors is an essential component for effectively managing AF.
‘Melissa’s work has widespread implications for the management of this disease globally and is good news for people with the condition.’
Patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) – the most common cause of abnormal heart rhythm – often get symptoms which can respond to surgery or drugs.
The condition is triggered by abnormal electrical pulses in one or all four pulmonary veins leading from the lungs to the heart.
These extra pulses over-ride the heart’s natural rhythm, causing it to beat abnormally fast and triggering symptoms such as palpitations and dizziness.
Diagnosis and treatment are vital because left untreated, AF can cause blood to pool in the heart rather than being pumped through, causing clots to form.
If clots travel to the brain, they can block the blood supply, cause a stroke and also lead to heart failure.
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