Did you know thyroid hormones play a direct role in every aspect of normal heart function? This is an important thyroid-heart health connection you need to know about especially if you are experiencing cardiovascular abnormalities.
Hypothyroidism can gives 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 these three posts explore the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular issues.
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}
When thyroid dysfunction is known or suspected, cardiovascular disease risk should be assessed as the cardiovascular system is extremely sensitive to a drop in thyroid hormone levels, especially low triiodothyronine (T3). In fact, research shows, the major effects of thyroid hormones on cardiac function are mediated by T3.
Low T3 is associated with 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. Link
Udovcic M, Pena RH, Patham B, Tabatabai L, Kansara A. Hypothyroidism and the Heart. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2017;13(2):55–59.
