The thyroid gland and blood pressure: how they are connected, what are the signs of the thyroid gland influencing blood pressure

Effect on pressure from the endocrine system

Hormones affect all systems and organs of the human body, including the cardiovascular system. Under the influence of negative factors of the external and internal environment, for example, cold or nervous overstrain, a portion of hormones is released into the blood. Depending on the situation, they have a narrowing or expanding effect on pressure. Internal secretion organs with which pressure indicators are associated:

hypothalamus;
pituitary;
adrenal glands;
testes, ovaries;
thyroid.

Let's take a closer look at how the thyroid gland influences the development of hypertension.

Prevention

Arterial hypertension is a dangerous disease and if it is not treated in time, serious complications in the functioning of internal organs can occur. Problems with blood pressure do not go away on their own, so it is important to consult a general practitioner or cardiologist in a timely manner.

Before going to see a doctor, you should monitor your cardiovascular indicators. To do this, you should write down your blood pressure and pulse readings in the morning, afternoon and evening in a diary or notepad. In this case, it will be easier for a specialist at the clinic to make a diagnosis and select treatment.

To prevent the disease you need to follow simple recommendations:

Sleep at least 8 hours a day. Children's sleep should last 1-2 hours more.
Take a walk in the fresh air every day and ventilate the apartment.
Do morning exercises, walk more often or swim in the pool. They recommend finding your favorite sport and constantly being in active physical shape.
Avoid stressful situations.
Quit alcohol, smoking and psychotropic drugs.
Be sure to take medications containing iodine and complexes of beneficial vitamins and minerals.

What hormones does the thyroid gland produce?

This internal secretion organ influences the functioning of all other organs in the human body. The thyroid gland is small and butterfly shaped. Located on the anterior wall of the respiratory trachea. Consists of small cells - follicles. They produce hormones.

The area of the thyroid gland has the most intense blood supply. Higher than in the brain. This is due to its huge role in the functioning of the body. Produces hormones:

Thyroxine.
Triiodothyronine.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Calcitonin.

Below we describe how the thyroid gland can affect blood pressure.

Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis

Under hormonal influences, a thyrotoxic heart develops. In addition to increased pressure and heart rate, specific noise, increased tones, and enlargement of the left ventricle are observed.

Clinical symptoms of thyrotoxicosis include the following syndromes:

Some of the clear signs of pathology are increased sweating, an enlarged goiter, and eyes protruding from their sockets.

Neurotic. Patients are constantly agitated and feel fear. They are irritable and overly emotional.
Dyspeptic. The patient has nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Icteric. In pathology, there is an increase in bilirubin in the blood. Therefore, it is differentiated from diseases of the biliary tract.
Hyperhidrosis. With thyrotoxicosis, excessive sweating is observed.
Loss of body weight. The metabolic function of hormones leads to the fact that subcutaneous fat is burned and a person loses weight.
Sleep disturbance.
Tachycardia. Heart rate reaches 100 beats per minute. and higher.
Cardialgia. These are unpleasant sensations in the chest, not caused by any cardiovascular pathology.
Exophthalmos. Under the influence of hormonal substances, the connective tissue located behind the eyeball grows. The eyes seem to be popping out of their sockets.
Appetite disorder. It is increased or, conversely, decreased.
Hepatomegaly. Due to the enlargement, the liver protrudes from under the rib.
Sexual dysfunction.
Intellectual deficit.

Hormones that cause increased blood pressure

If the thyroid gland does not function properly, failure inevitably occurs in all organ systems. Thyroid hypertension is a disease caused by the influence of hormones on increasing blood pressure.

The thyroid gland is closely related to the work of the adrenal glands. If there are interruptions in its work, the latter increase the release of thyroid hormones. These substances regulate metabolic processes in the body, the saturation of blood cells with oxygen, and the coordinated functioning of all organs.

After a malfunction of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, intense release of substances follows, which lead to an increase in blood pressure for no apparent reason. These hormones are triiodothyronine, thyroxine, aldosterone, adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol, catecholamine.

From the above, it becomes clear that the thyroid gland and blood pressure are closely related.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

If hypertension is accompanied by a malfunction of the thyroid gland, then patients usually exhibit the following characteristic symptoms:

Problems with excess weight begin;
Hair becomes brittle and even begins to fall out;
The skin is dry and pale;
The limbs and face swell;
Mental performance decreases;
Problems with concentration, attentiveness and memory arise;
The person becomes lethargic and constantly wants to sleep.
Constipation and bad stool.

With the development of primary hypothyroidism, the majority of patients have an increase in lower (diastolic) blood pressure.

At the first manifestations of the disease, you should consult a doctor. First, see a therapist who can refer you to an endocrinologist.

Other endocrine disorders and blood pressure

The pressure increases most from the thyroid and adrenal glands. However, blood pressure may rise or fall with other hormonal disorders:

Increased activity of the pituitary gland. Under its action, the hormone vasopressin is released, which narrows the lumen of blood vessels. When there is an excess of it, the pressure jumps upward.
Violation of the secretion of steroids - estrogens. They participate in the regulation of the cardiovascular system and prevent the formation of cholesterol. With their increased concentration in the blood, the pressure increases.

Interaction of pathologies

The thyroid gland influences the body through the hormones it produces. They are thyrokisin and triiodotronin. Sometimes you can find their designations respectively: T3 and T4. The question of what this is will be discussed below.

The action of thyroid hormones occurs through increased work of RNA cells, which leads to an increase in the synthesis of various proteins. As a result, the activity of cellular structures increases. All the effects of thyroid hormones are based on this:

increased metabolic activity;
increasing the body's performance;
inhibition of nutrient storage processes;
increased tissue sensitivity to stress hormones (catecholamines).

In relation to the circulatory system, thyroid hormones increase the heart rate and increase vascular tone. This causes high blood pressure.

The thyroid gland produces both hormonal substances in approximately equal quantities. But their entry into the blood is uneven. Most of all (this is from 70 to 85%) thyroxine is released. Both hormones are carried through the bloodstream throughout the body in a matter of minutes. Triiodothyronine acts on organs immediately. Thyroxine does not have this property. But this hormone is easily converted into its active form in tissues.

This distribution of hormones meets the body's needs. He needs the constant readiness of his systems to resist the negative influence of the outside world. But stressful situations themselves for everyday life are rare. This means that direct stimulation of the body’s functioning is not necessary. This is facilitated by the fact that there is greater production of thyroxine, a hormone that requires preliminary conversion into the active form (triiodothyronine) in the tissues themselves.

The functioning of organ systems depends on their needs. As it increases, they increase their functional activity, and vice versa. The body is ready for any stressful situations. To sharply increase your performance, there is enough triiodothyronine in the blood.

Any failure or disease has a negative effect on the entire body. The nervous and cardiovascular systems are among the first to respond. The nature of the changes depends on the form of thyroid pathologies.

Based on the level of hormones produced, it is customary to distinguish two main groups of gland pathologies.

Hypothyroidism. Diseases occur with reduced production of thyroid hormones.
Hyperthyroidism. Here the picture is the opposite - the production of hormones is higher than normal.

Both cases lead to the development of hypertension. Only with hypothyroidism is hypotension observed in the first years. Then, as fluid accumulates in the tissues (this occurs due to the weakness of the vascular wall) and body weight increases (obesity develops against the background of a low amount of hormones), the volume of circulating blood increases, and the need for blood supply to the increased body weight increases. This leads to additional stress on the heart and hypertension develops. Another factor in this pathology in hypothyroidism is angiotensin. It leads to spasm of vascular smooth muscles, which increases their peripheral resistance. The production of the substance increases as a result of increased workload on the heart.

Hyperthyroidism immediately leads to a constant increase in blood pressure due to an increase in heart rate and high vascular tone. Further, the walls of arteries and veins become insensitive to relaxing factors; hypertension develops.

Signs of high blood pressure due to thyroid

If you have the following symptoms of high blood pressure, you should contact a medical facility to make sure your thyroid gland is functioning normally:

Severe headaches and dizziness.
Severe weakness, sometimes leading to loss of consciousness.
Pain and compression in the heart area.
Frequent nervous breakdowns, bad mood, depression.
Increased body temperature.

Thyroid hormones and hypotension

If there is a lack of water and food, weakness after suffering pathologies, intoxication, or blood loss, the body needs to reduce blood pressure in order to improve a person’s well-being.

In this case, the production of thyroid hormones decreases. If this condition does not last long, then it is harmless to the body.

But the chronic form of hypothyroidism leads to deterioration of health. This manifests itself in a decrease in blood pressure, a decrease in vascular tone, and a slowdown in heart function, which leads to the development of oxygen starvation. Such disorders can lead to vegetative-vascular dystonia, bradycardia, angina pectoris, and arrhythmia.

Also read: How blood pressure behaves during menstrual periods

The condition of not only the heart and blood vessels worsens. The brain suffers the most from this. Lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to decreased cognitive function.

In this case, a person suffers from absent-mindedness, lethargy, drowsiness and weakness, and decreased performance. There is also a high likelihood of developing clinical depression, which often pushes a person to commit suicide.

Treatment of the thyroid gland is necessary, since hypotension leads to dizziness, weakness, migraines, and general malaise. Severe disorders can cause coma and disability of the patient.

A slowdown in metabolism as a result of pathology is accompanied by loss of appetite and indigestion. Tissues and organs suffer from stagnation, which is manifested by nausea, vomiting, and swelling.

The main symptom of the problem is a decrease in body temperature. An endocrinologist can help in this case.

Thyroid hypertension

High blood pressure and the thyroid gland pose serious health risks. After all, a person does not immediately understand that hypertension arose against the background of an endocrine imbalance. He takes blood pressure pills. The symptoms subside, but the cause of the disease does not go away.

Statistics show that about ninety percent of deaths due to high blood pressure occur at night, when a person does not feel that a problem has arisen.

Therefore, in case of unreasonable jumps in blood pressure, you should immediately seek specialized help.

Hypertension in thyroid diseases

An increase in pressure due to the thyroid gland can occur with quite serious and dangerous diseases, which are difficult to determine. Therefore, if high blood pressure cannot be eliminated with special treatment, it is necessary to undergo examination.

Blood pressure levels may increase in the following cases:

For hypothyroidism . With this disease, the iron produces few hormones. Hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in heart rate, which is accompanied by the development of vascular resistance and increased pressure in the arteries. In severe forms of the disease, diastolic pressure is significantly higher than normal. The disease is manifested by puffiness of the face, increased body weight, dry skin and brittle nails, hair, lethargy, and memory impairment.
For hyperthyroidism . This pathological phenomenon is characterized by an increase in the production of hormones and an acceleration of metabolic processes. The work of the heart increases, systolic pressure increases and diastolic pressure decreases. This type of hypertension is called systolic. The problem is manifested by significant weight loss, emotional anxiety, tachycardia, increased sweating, heart rhythm disturbances, and the development of heart failure.
With hyperplasia of the thyroid gland . This disease is characterized by an increase in the size of the organ and has another name “Goiter”. The problem arises as a result of iodine deficiency and leads to the development of functional disorders. Although with hyperplasia benign dysfunction of the gland is observed, due to weak production of thyroxine, blood pressure rises and heart failure develops.
With acromegaly, the production of somatotropic hormone or growth hormone increases. The situation arises with neoplasms in the pituitary gland. If the problem appeared in youth, then the child will grow very large. In adulthood, the pathology is manifested by an increase in the size of the feet, coarsening of facial features, and the appearance of a massive chin and brow ridge. These signs make the diagnosis process very easy. In 20% of people with this problem, there is an increase in blood pressure. The relationship between hypertension and these hormones is unknown, but patients often experience left ventricular hypertrophy, which is a cause of death.
For hyperparathyroidism . The organ contains parathyroid glands. They are responsible for the production of parathyroid hormone. It flushes calcium from the bones, which helps increase its levels in the blood. With hyperparathyroidism, this substance begins to be produced in large quantities. This usually happens if there is a tumor in the gland. As a result of the pathology, bone tissue is replaced by connective tissue, stones form and blood pressure increases. Hypertension is not the result of a failure in parathyroid hormone production. With illness, kidney function deteriorates, which affects blood pressure.
With primary hyperaldosteronism . The disease is characterized by increased production of aldosterone by the adrenal glands as a result of tumor processes. This is accompanied by a sharp decrease in potassium levels and an increase in pressure in the arteries.

The connection between hypertension and the thyroid gland is obvious. The functioning of the entire body depends on the production of hormones synthesized by the gland. The consequences of violations can be very serious.

How to restore normal blood pressure

The following methods are used to stabilize blood pressure.

Drug therapy

Based on the regulation of thyroid activity. The most effective means:

Iodomarin, Yodtirox, Thyreotom - aimed at optimizing work;
Mercazolil, Propicil - reduce the amount of hormones produced;
Iodoflor, Alba are organic-based preparations that often act as additional therapy.

Diet and lifestyle changes

To stabilize hormonal levels, experts recommend adhering to the following rules:

It is necessary to establish a sleep and rest schedule.
Take walks in the fresh air every day.
Stop drinking alcohol and cigarettes.
Change your diet and nutritional principles.

All food must be steamed or boiled and divided into small portions. It is necessary to provide the body with a sufficient amount of protein, iodine-containing products, vitamins, and microelements. You need to include in the menu: lean meat in the amount of one hundred grams per day, dairy products, seafood of animal and plant origin, fresh vegetables, fruits, especially persimmons and feijoa.

Physical exercise

The following exercises will help normalize thyroid function:

Pull your chin as high as possible and freeze in this position for ten seconds. Then, without lowering your chin, make five circular movements with your head in one direction and the other.
Place your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, hands on your hips. In this position, shake your head back and forth for five minutes.
With a perfectly straight posture, straighten your neck. Alternately rotate your head to the right and left. Movements should be slow. Can be done while sitting.

External changes in hyperthyroidism

Thyroid hormones influence trophic processes in the cell and with thyrotoxicosis, changes in cellular activity and differentiation occur.

Hair changes are characterized by fragility, excessive hair loss, and baldness. The hair structure becomes soft, thin, and quickly becomes oily. This is due to the effect of excess hormones on the sebaceous glands, which stimulates their secretion of sebum. Hormones also act on the hair follicle, and it hypertrophies, disrupting the nutritional function of the hair itself.

Eye changes are a specific sign of hyperthyroidism. Eye symptoms of varying severity depend on the degree of thyrotoxicosis. They are a consequence of increased tone of the eye muscles, retraction of the orbital tissue and upper eyelids. All patients experience exophthalmos, often bilateral, which occurs at the onset of the disease and then progresses, and is accompanied by a pronounced shine in the eyes. In addition to exophthalmos, other signs appear:

Graefe's symptom - when looking down, the upper eyelid lags behind the lower and a white stripe appears;
Kocher's sign - lag of the lower eyelid when looking down;
Delrymple's sign – wide palpebral fissure;
Stellwag's symptom – infrequent blinking;
Moebius sign - blurred convergence; when the pupil constricts, one or both eyes deviate from the center.

Infiltration ophthalmopathy is the second eye symptom, which is detected in 50% of patients as a result of damage to the orbital tissue and muscles by autoantibodies with the development of edema. In this case, during movements of the eyeballs to the right and left and up and down, pain occurs, while sand and double vision are felt. These signs occur with severe thyrotoxicosis.

Skin changes with hyperthyroidism also have their own characteristics. Firstly, people with this pathology look younger than their age. This is due to the fact that the skin is thin, velvety, delicate, and wrinkles form late. If a person has been sick for a long time, the skin changes are more serious. Infiltrative dermopathy forms - thickening and hardening of the skin on the anterior surface of the lower leg and feet. The skin in this place does not fold. In more severe cases, swelling of the lower leg with pronounced hyperemia may occur.

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Treatment of thyroid hypertension

For high blood pressure and dysfunction of the thyroid gland, the following medications will help:

Atenol, Metoprolol, Anaprilin, Nifedipine - act directly on the cardiovascular system;
Indapamide, Torasemide - help reduce blood pressure by removing fluid from the body;
Iodine balance, Thyroidin, Dihydrotachysterol are drugs that have a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland.

The most important thing when treating high blood pressure and the thyroid gland is consultation with experienced doctors - a cardiologist and an endocrinologist. Only they can prescribe correct and effective treatment that will benefit you.

Treatment of changes in blood pressure due to thyroid diseases

Correction of the pressure level in case of existing thyroid pathology is directly related to the nature of the disease. But drugs for the treatment of endocrine pathologies should always come first. Depending on the increased or decreased function, all patients must follow the doctor’s instructions for correcting hormonal levels. In the second case, you need to follow a diet and take medications that lead to an increase in thyroid hormones, and with hyperfunction, a diet and medications that reduce them will help.

Drug treatment

Drug therapy is based on their mechanisms of action. Depends on the course of hypertension and its causes. In case of thyroid pathologies, correction of blood pressure is directly related to the level of thyroid hormones.

Let's look at hyperthyroidism first; it most often leads to high blood pressure diseases. If available, beta blockers are mandatory. For example, commonly used drugs.

"Atenolol";
"Anaprilin";
“Metoprolol;
"Bisoprolol."

The mechanism of action of the drugs mentioned above involves blocking adrenergic receptors. They are found in many internal organs. There are especially many of them in blood vessels and the heart muscle. Taking beta blockers, the heart rate decreases, arterial tone decreases, and the circulatory system becomes less sensitive to stress hormones.

The second group of drugs for lowering blood pressure against the background of hyperthyroidism acts as an alternative to beta blockers. These are substances that prevent calcium from entering cells: Nifedipine, Cordipine XL, Verapamil, Amlodipine and others. The mechanism of their action does not affect the functioning of adrenergic receptors. The drugs do not protect against the effect of thyroid hormones on blood vessels and the heart. But they are able to block the entry into the cell of the main factor of muscle contraction - calcium. This means that medications can only be used if beta receptor antagonists are contraindicated for treatment.

Hypothyroidism leads to hypertension only after a few years. Drugs to normalize blood pressure are needed as the disease develops. Diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are considered the best.

Diuretics help remove fluid from the body. As a result of this, the volume of circulating blood decreases, and body weight (due to a decrease in tissue edema) decreases. The load on the hearts drops. The most commonly used diuretic drugs are:

"Hypothiazide";
"Indapamide";
"Diuver";
"Torasemide".

ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme) relieve spasm of vascular smooth muscle. Peripheral resistance drops. Blood pressure levels decrease. The most common drugs in the group are:

"Enalapril";
"Lisinopril";
“Perlindopril;
"Rampril";
"Prestarium".

Their combination with diuretics is considered one of the most effective regimens for the treatment of hypertension

Non-drug treatment

Effective non-drug treatments for lowering blood pressure include some herbs, vagal maneuvers, and bloodletting. Massage and acupuncture have mixed effects.

Bloodletting is considered an outdated method. But due to its relative ease of execution (for qualified medical personnel), it can be used in exceptional cases to treat blood pressure.

Vagal techniques can be performed after special preparation by the patient himself. They only have an effect if blood pressure rises as a result of an increase in heart rate. Therefore, they are used most often in patients with various arrhythmias. Vagal techniques include:

Massage of clusters of nerve baro-receptors. They are located on either side of the upper part of the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple).
Aschner reflex. Caused by pressure on the eyeballs.
Valsava's test. It is carried out by holding exhalation and straining.
Inducing a gag reflex. It is necessary to irritate the root of the tongue.

Herbs that help with hypertension are usually divided into two groups. Some increase urination: lingonberries, black currants, rose hips, raspberries. Other plants provide a sedative effect: valerian, motherwort, chamomile, mint. They are not suitable for emergency lowering of blood pressure due to the late onset of action. But they can be used to prevent crises in uncomplicated hypertension.