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HowToPreventHeartDisease.com |
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Link Between Thyroid Hormone And Heart Disease Heart disease can be caused by traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high blood cholesterol, obesity. Research showed that too little or too much of thyroid hormone can lead to heart disease, too. In fact, thyroid disease is a fairly common treatable cause of heart diseases. Thyroid hormone is produced in the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the base of the neck. It releases hormones to control metabolism. Thyroid hormone regulates vital body functions including breathing, heart rate, central and peripheral nervous systems, body weight, muscle strength, menstrual cycles, body temperature and cholesterol levels. Using iodine from the foods, thyroid gland makes hormones to regulate the speed with which the cells/metabolism work. Either too little thyroid hormone (a condition called hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid) or too much thyroid hormone (called hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid) can have a significant effect on the heart. For people who already have any type of heart disease, disorders of the thyroid gland can worsen cardiac symptoms or cause new ones. It can also accelerate the underlying cardiac problem. Thyroid disease can even produce brand new heart problems in people with otherwise healthy hearts. In hypothyroidism, the reduced level of thyroid hormone causes the heart muscle to pump less vigorously and eventually to become weakened. The heart muscle also cannot fully relax after each heartbeat. This can produce diastolic dysfunction leading to heart failure. Hypothyroidism can also cause blood vessels to stiffen that can produce hypertension.
Cardiac symptoms can occur in anybody with hypothyroidism, but they are especially likely in people who already have underlying heart disease. Common cardiac problems linked to hypothyroidism include dyspnea (shortness of breath); bradycardia (slow heart rate); diastolic hypertension; worsening of heart failure or new onset of heart failure; edema (swelling); worsening of coronary artery disease (CAD). Elevated cholesterol levels can be another possible consequence of hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, underactive thyroid can have non-cardiac symptoms like trouble sleeping; tiredness and fatigue; difficulty concentrating; dry skin and hair; depression; sensitivity to cold temperature; frequent, heavy periods; joint and muscle aches. Being an extremely subtle condition, hypothyroidism typically has a very gradual onset, and its symptoms can quietly develop without one’s attention. Furthermore, especially in older folks, hypothyroidism often occurs without showing typical symptoms that doctors usually expect. Standard treatment is daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others). This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism is far less common, which affects less than 1 percent of the population. The classic symptoms include anxiety; irritability or moodiness; nervousness, hyperactivity; sleeplessness; heat intolerance; excess sweating; weight loss; hair loss; hand trembling; extreme hunger; loose bowels; missed or light menstrual periods. Excess thyroid hormone increases the force of contraction of the heart muscle and increases the amount of oxygen demanded by the heart. It also raises the heart rate and may trigger abnormal heart rhythms. As a result, the work of the heart is greatly increased. People with hyperthyroidism may also have high blood pressure. Anybody with hyperthyroidism can have cardiac symptoms but it is particularly dangerous in people with underlying heart disease. Common symptoms include fast heart rate (tachycardia) and palpitations; systolic hypertension; dyspnea with mild exertion; heart failure; and worsening angina.
Several treatments for hyperthyroidism exist.
These include radioactive iodine therapy, taking anti-thyroid medications, beta
blockers. In rare cases, doctors may suggest thyroidectomy (surgery) for those
who cannot take antithyroid medicines or get radioactive iodine therapy. Though
beta blockers are usually used to treat high blood pressure and do not affect
thyroid levels, they can ease symptoms of hyperthyroidism like a tremor, rapid
heart rate and palpitations. In a thyroidectomy, the doctor removes most of the
thyroid gland. Risks include damage to the vocal cords and parathyroid glands
that help control the level of calcium in the blood. Date: April 25, 2019
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