Did you know the thyroid hormones play a direct role in heart health? This is a vital thyroid-heart health connection you need to know about!
Hypothyroidism can give rise to cardiovascular symptoms such as bradycardia (slow pulse rate), elevated cholesterol levels, mild diastolic hypertension, low pulse pressure, cold intolerance, and fatigue.
Shining The Spotlight On The Thyroid-Heart Health Connection
If you want to learn more I wrote these three posts to help raise awareness of how the thyroid hormones have a significant effect on cardiac function. Let me explain more…
Can A Thyroid Problem Cause High Cholesterol?
Hypothyroidism slows metabolism making it difficult for the body to clear cholesterol effectively via the liver. As a result it’s common to have raised cholesterol. And that’s problematic as too much cholesterol raises your cardiovascular risk. For this reason it’s important to treat the underlying thyroid disorder, and take the necessary steps to keep your cholesterol ratios in check.
> > Click to read more: Can A Thyroid Problem Cause High Cholesterol?
Hypothyroidism Can Increase Your Risk of Developing Heart Disease
When it comes to knowing your heart disease risk is there more to the cholesterol story? When you take a broader view it becomes clear there’s much more to consider. At the core of heart disease is ‘silent’ inflammation. This type of chronic inflammation is often associated with hypothyroidism which then plays a role in the development of heart disease.
> > Discover more here: Hypothyroidism Can Increase Your Risk of Developing Heart Disease
Bradycardia Symptoms Can Signal a Thyroid Problem {But The Connection is Often Missed}
The heart is extremely sensitive to a drop in thyroid hormone levels, especially free T3. It’s why hypothyroidism is linked to low blood pressure, shortness of breath, and a slower than normal pulse rate.
If your resting heart rate is 60 beats per minute (BPM), or less it should be investigated further. Termed bradycardia, this cardiovascular disorder puts extra strain on the heart.
> > Learn more here: Bradycardia Symptoms Can Signal a Thyroid Problem {But The Connection is Often Missed!}
References
Grais IM, Sowers JR. Thyroid and the heart. Am J Med. 2014;127(8):691–698.
Udovcic M, Pena RH, Patham B, Tabatabai L, Kansara A. Hypothyroidism and the Heart. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2017;13(2):55–59.
