Obsession with Exercise and Calorie Intake Harms Health
Heart Rate Slows, Causing Vomiting and Nausea
A woman who was so obsessed with fitness that she was said to have 'exercise addiction' was diagnosed with bradycardia (a condition where the heart beats abnormally slowly).
On the 14th (local time), the US 'New York Post' and others reported the story of Dani Fernandez (25), an American woman who was diagnosed with bradycardia and is currently undergoing treatment after excessive exercise. Fernandez exhibited typical exercise addiction behaviors, feeling guilty if she did not work out, and even canceling plans with family or friends to focus on fitness.
Dani Fernandez was diagnosed with severe exercise obsession and eating disorders. [Image source=Instagram]
She also restricted her calorie intake regularly. She meticulously counted the calories of the food she ate and was obsessed with burning off that amount through exercise. As this lifestyle continued, Fernandez eventually developed bradycardia, where her heart rate slowed down significantly.
One day, experiencing severe chest pain, Fernandez visited a hospital and was diagnosed with bradycardia by a doctor. A normal heart rate for an average person is 60 to 100 beats per minute, and if it falls below 60, it is classified as bradycardia. A slow heart rate means the heart is not delivering enough blood to the body. This can cause various side effects such as chest pain, tightness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, nausea, and sweating.
Usually, the heart beats faster during exercise. However, excessive exercise can actually lower the heart rate, and if this condition persists, the heart rate can slow down enough to cause side effects.
Having become aware of the risks to her body, Fernandez is currently receiving treatment at an eating disorder clinic. She is avoiding extreme exercise and calorie restriction and is working on gaining weight.
Meanwhile, according to data from the US National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), about 75% of anorexia patients are women. Especially, adolescent and young women are more likely to develop eating disorders. It is estimated that adolescents aged 15 to 24 with anorexia have a mortality risk 10 times higher than their peers without anorexia.
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