Journal of Nutrition & Weight Loss

Abstract

Body Weight Reduction and QTc Interval in Obesity

Aleksandra Milovancev, Edita Stokic, Djordje S. Popovic, Dragana Tomic-Naglic, Olivera Rankov and Branislava Ilincic

Introduction: Obesity is associated with wide variety of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. Prolonged QTc interval is common in obesity and it represents a delayed ventricular repolarisation which is associated with ventricular arrhythmias, syncope and sudden cardiac death. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of weight reduction on QTc interval in obese subjects. Materials and Methods: The study included 74 obese subjects aged 41.78 ± 10.70 years, treated with a lowcalorie diet (800 kcal/day) for two weeks. All patients underwent a standard resting 12-lead surface ECG before and after the treatment. QTc intervals were corrected by Bazett’s formula. Results: The average loss in body weight was 10.26 ± 3.63%, and the average reduction in body mass index was 9.39 ± 4.23%. There were statistically significant differences for all electrocardiographic parameters (p<0.01) except for the QTc dispersion (p>0.05) before and after the treatment with low-calorie diet. Heart rate was also statistically significant reduced after the low-calorie diet treatment. Prevalence of prolonged QTc interval was 24.32% before and 9.21% after the treatment. Conclusion: The results show that obesity causes prolongation of QTc interval. Significant weight reduction of about 10% leads to favorable electrocardiographic changes and significant shortening of the QTc interval.