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Cure atrial fibrillation by losing weight
Cardiac arrhythmias in the form of atrial fibrillation are a particularly common form of heart disease. In the long term, the mortality of those affected is significantly increased. However, Australian researchers have now found that losing weight helps with atrial fibrillation.
The lead author of the current study, dr. Rajeev Pathak from the Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias at the University of Adelaide, emphasized that "the long-term effects of weight loss and the degree of weight variation on atrial fibrillation" had been studied for the first time. The results were published in the journal "American College of Cardiology," according to the University's announcement.
In many cases, the atrial fibrillation initially runs inconspicuously with accompanying symptoms such as tiredness, sleep disorders and poor performance. The sufferers also often notice a heart stuttering and racing heart. As a result of the atrial fibrillation increases the risk of a stroke, a heart failure and ultimately for a heart attack. The likelihood of premature death is significantly increased overall. How drastically the influence of the overweight precipitates here, has the current study of the research team around Dr. med. Rajeev Pathak made clear by the University of Adelaide.
The researchers conclude that in overweight patients with atrial fibrillation, a ten percent reduction in body weight would bring good chances for long-term relief from these cardiac arrhythmias.
Patients observed over an average of four years
In the framework of the so-called LEGACY study, the researchers selected from among 1,415 study participants with atrial fibrillation 355 subjects for their analyzes, who had a body mass index (BMI) over 27 and participated in offered measures for weight loss. Over a period of four years on average, researchers followed the development of patients. To promote weight loss, among other things, a detailed nutritional advice every three months, a detailed monitoring of the diet, easy physical training and the creation of a diary of daily nutrition and physical activity, the Australian researchers report.
Complaints-free by weight loss
The scientists divided the study participants into three groups with different weight loss. The first group had a weight loss of ten percent or more, the second group had a weight reduction of three to nine percent, and the third group had less than three percent weight loss during the observation period. After an average of four years, nearly half (45%) of patients who lost ten percent of their body weight no longer had atrial fibrillation - without medication or surgery.
Also, 22 percent of patients who lost 3 to 9 percent of their weight were subsequently free of atrial fibrillation, according to the University of Adelaide. In the third group, however, only 13 percent of the subjects showed a complete decline in symptoms.
Significant reduction in atrial fibrillation detectable
"Patients who lost more than ten percent of their weight and kept their weight stable for more than four years showed a marked reduction in atrial fibrillation," says study author Dr. Rajeev Pathak.
Overweight patients who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight would have achieved six-fold more long-term relief from atrial fibrillation than those who did not or could not lose weight. Losing weight is thus an effective measure against the widespread cardiac arrhythmia. In addition, weight loss also has a positive effect on other cardiovascular risk factors. Thus an improvement of the blood pressure as well as the structure and function of the heart was to be determined, reports Dr. med. Pathak. A reduction in obstructive sleep apnea and a normalization of blood sugar levels in diabetes can be achieved with the weight loss. (Fp)
Image: Michael Bührke