February 2026 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE...

• Message from the Chair
• Topic of the Month: Heart Health and Eating Disorders: A Critical Priority
• Tip of the Month: How to Advocate for Proper Assessment
• Research Corner: Assessment and Management of Cardiovascular Complications in Eating Disorders
• Feedback Corner
• Join the EDANZ Helpline: Supporting Others on the Journey
• Upcoming EDANZ support meetings

I hope everyone had a restful holiday. In February, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, red hearts seem to be popping up everywhere. This got me thinking of heartbeats and the importance of proper heart assessment during eating disorders. In this edition of our newsletter, we are going to dive into what a proper heart health assessment looks like, what to expect, and the path to getting better.

Let’s dive into it.

Andrea Bonetto – Chairperson

Heart Health and Eating Disorders: A Critical Priority

Restrictive eating disorders carry one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness, a statistic now rivalled only by the opioid crisis. The primary danger often lies in the heart. Starvation forces the body to consume its own tissue for fuel and, since the heart is a muscle, it inevitably thins and weakens. This process can lead to dangerous arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) or sudden cardiac arrest.

Because of this, recovery can feel deeply counter-intuitive. While exercise is considered important for both our physical and mental health, for a person with a restrictive eating disorder, even a walk could be extremely dangerous for their compromised heart. Until heart health is properly assessed, even light activity can be life-threatening. For a medical explanation of why physical rest is a medical necessity during this time, we recommend watching this video starting at the 35-minute mark.

While these risks are a matter of life and death, many well-meaning medical professionals are not specifically trained to identify the unique warning signs of a starving body. To ensure your loved one is safe, you must explicitly advocate for an orthostatic heart rate measurement during medical appointments. This test compares the heart rate while lying down versus standing up and is the most reliable way to assess the heart's ability to handle physical stress. By requesting this assessment, you provide the doctor with the objective data needed to determine if a patient is medically stable or requires immediate hospital intervention.

While the risks associated with cardiac strain are serious, there is significant reason for hope. Research shows that the heart is a remarkably resilient organ and this damage is fully reversible with consistent nutritional rehabilitation. As the body receives the fuel it needs, the heart muscle can strengthen and repair itself, allowing patients to go on to live full, happy, and healthy lives.

How to Advocate for Proper Assessment

When you visit a doctor, it is essential to ensure they measure the heart rate correctly. You should request an orthostatic heart rate measurement. This involves the following steps:

1. The patient must lie down for five minutes before the heart rate is taken.
2. If the lying heart rate is 45 beats per minute or less, the patient requires immediate hospital assessment.
3. The patient should then stand up for two minutes.
4. After two minutes of standing, the heart rate must be taken again.

If the difference between the lying measurement and the standing measurement is more than 25 beats per minute, the patient should be in the hospital. For instance, a lying heart rate of 50 might appear acceptable, but if it jumps to 90 after standing for two minutes, this means the heart is under significant stress. The patient might still be within a healthy BMI, but this orthostatic measurement is the most reliable way to show the true state of a patient’s cardiac health.

You can also do this at home. Just get your loved one to lie down on the couch for five minutes with their legs straight, then take their heart rate. Then get them to stand up for two minutes and take the heart rate again. If any of those measurements fall outside of the guidelines above, take your loved one to the hospital for assessment. You can find a guide on how to take a heart rate manually at this link.

Research Spotlight

Assessment and Management of Cardiovascular Complications in Eating Disorders
(Friars, 2023)

This paper provides a practical clinical guide on the cardiovascular risks of eating disorders, emphasising that malnutrition in restrictive disorders leads to structural heart changes, dangerous heart rate irregularities, and orthostatic instability. It concludes that while most of these complications, such as severe bradycardia (slow heart rate) and fainting, are reversible with nutritional rehabilitation, careful medical monitoring is essential to prevent sudden cardiac death.
Read the full paper here.

“Hi, just want to say a huge thank you for your advice about my daughter’s heart rate. My daughter is at hospital now on their recovery programme to help get her health back on track. I wouldn’t have known to take her to the ED if it wasn’t for your advice. Thank you so much.”

- North Island Mum

If EDANZ helped you or you have any suggestions on what we can do better, please email us at: info@ed.org.nz

We’d love to hear from you.

Join the EDANZ Helpline: Supporting Others on the Journey

The EDANZ helpline is a vital lifeline for families navigating the complexities of eating disorders. We are currently looking for volunteers to join us in providing support and guidance. If you have supported a loved one through an eating disorder and feel ready to give back, your lived experience is incredibly valuable. By joining our team, you can offer hope and understanding to those who are now walking the path you once travelled.

We welcome any amount of time you can offer, and every hour of support makes a profound difference for our community. Your unique perspective allows you to connect with families in a way that truly matters. If you would like to help us ensure that no one faces this challenge alone, please get in touch with us. We would love to discuss how you can contribute to this rewarding mission.

Get in touch

Upcoming support group meetings

EDANZ believes parents/carers have unique abilities to support one another and we hold regular meetings to which you are warmly invited. Currently, we're joining together around the country on the first Wednesday of every month thanks to videoconferencing technology. 

If you would like to participate in a virtual support group, please RSVP to info@ed.org.nz and we'll send you the link.

Upcoming meetings:  

• Wednesday, 4 March at 8pm
• Wednesday, 1 April at 8pm

Please make a donation today
and have real impact on the work we do. 

We are a fully volunteer association and receive no contract funding. Whether it is a one-off or regular donation, your support makes a difference.

Make a Donation