Effect of the thyroid gland on the heart: hypothyroidism and the heart

Heart and thyroid gland - is there a connection between them?

When your thyroid gland is working properly, you feel good. If any of its functions fail, the entire body begins to suffer.

The amount of oxygen in the blood decreases, the heart has to put more effort into the process. As a result, the person develops arrhythmia. But not only increased, but also decreased production of hormones is dangerous.

The effect of the thyroid gland on the heart in this case will be expressed in the form of a slow heartbeat. The patient may experience baricardia.

Thyroid functions

The secretory function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones. They accelerate protein synthesis in the body, affect the breakdown of fats and indirectly participate in carbohydrate metabolism. The gland regulates the energy exchange of cells throughout the body. Any changes in the functioning of this organ affect health.

The thyroid gland (TG) produces the following hormones:

• thyroxine - is responsible for the activation of metabolic processes in the cells of all organs and tissues;
• triiodothyronine - affects the development of the body, participates in metabolic processes, regulates body temperature, affects the functioning of the heart;
• calcitonin (peptide hormone) - is responsible for the exchange of calcium and phosphorus, bone tissue renewal, and affects the conduction of impulses in nervous and muscle tissues.

Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are iodinated thyroid hormones - their molecules contain iodine atoms. When entering the body, iodine is absorbed by thyroid cells and accumulates in it.

How does the thyroid gland affect the heart?

Arrhythmia due to the thyroid gland develops quite often, but this is not the only negative consequence of problems with hormone production.

If a patient has a deficiency of thyroid hormones, he may experience the following manifestations of the disease:

• the heart beats too slowly, with additional beats appearing in between;
• baricardia, which in severe forms leads to cardiac arrest;
• fluctuations in blood pressure.

In the initial stages, when there are too few hormones, the pressure in the body drops. The person feels constant fatigue.

As hypothyroidism progresses, your blood pressure will begin to rise. As a result, a person may develop vascular atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease. With increased thyroid production, the picture is as follows:

• severe chest pain not detected during an ECG;
• high blood pressure;
• tachycardia and arrhythmia, which without medical correction can lead to an attack or death.

With hyperthyroidism, only pulse pressure may be elevated, but diastolic readings will remain within normal limits. This condition is fraught with the risk that the patient will begin to develop rapidly progressing atherosclerosis, which will lead to death.

How do thyroid hormones affect the heart?

High level

This hormonal imbalance leads to:

• smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels relax, which allows blood to move faster;
• blood flow to the heart, kidneys, skin, muscles increases;
• the body's sensitivity to catecholamines increases;
• the synthesis of stress hormones increases.

Hyperthyroidism often develops during pregnancy; why this happens is described in the article.

When the level of thyroid hormones increases, the heart also reacts:

• systolic/upper pressure increases, because the heart begins to intensively pump blood into the vessels;
• the lower (diastolic) pressure limit decreases, the heart muscle relaxes as much as possible;
• the synthesis of myosins is enhanced, i.e. proteins of the heart muscle, the regulation of which occurs precisely with the help of thyroid hormones. This increases myocardial contractility, i.e. the ability of the heart muscles to contract when excitation occurs in the body is impaired;
• the volume of blood ejected by the heart per unit of time increases;
• heart rate is disturbed (increased);
• active growth of new blood vessels begins.

These disorders provoke an increase in blood volume, therefore, the load on the heart increases. Thus, in people with hyperthyroidism, the heart beats quickly and pumps large volumes of blood, which leads to wear and tear and even stoppage of the organ.

Atrial fibrillation and the thyroid gland

The effect of thyroid hormones on the heart can be both positive and negative. One of the negative aspects is atrial fibrillation. Patients with this disease most often experience thyrotoxicosis and tachycardia.

The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

• erratic heartbeats, the frequency of which can exceed 300 per minute;
• increased number of ventricular contractions (100-120 beats);
• heart failure if the patient is over 50 years old;

Cardiopathy and ischemia, if a person has arrhythmia and the thyroid gland continues to produce a lot of hormones, goes from a latent form to an active one.

The only way to prevent the development of a critical condition is to undergo diagnostics. Treatment of the disease will begin after the patient provides test results.

Diseases of the thyroid gland that provoke cardiac pathologies

The effect of the thyroid gland on the heart occurs due to a lack or excess of triiodothyronine. It is an active thyroid hormone containing three iodine atoms. Influencing the heart, he:

• Regulates glucose metabolism in organ cells.
• Ensures the conductivity of the myocardial reaction to the effects of catecholamines - hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands during emotional stress. Catecholamines include adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine, etc.
• Enhances metabolic processes, causing the breakdown of fat, an increased need for oxygen, and the destruction of proteins.
• Regulates the work of the myocardium under stress, enhances the growth of its tissues.

Violation of any of these processes leads to a decrease in a person’s quality of life, the need to limit exercise and treat symptoms of diseases.

Thyrotoxicosis

The connection between tachycardia and the thyroid gland can be seen in thyrotoxicosis. With this disease, the production of triiodothyronine in the thyroid gland increases. Most patients diagnosed suffer from thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. It is difficult to detect pathology because of its symptoms, which are considered typical signs of thyrotoxicosis or other pathologies.

Excess triiodothyronine leads to the following problems:

1. Increased load on the myocardium due to increased sensitivity to catecholamines. Emotional outbursts provoke an excessive reaction from the cardiovascular system.
2. Too rapid breakdown of protein in the myocardium, dystrophic changes.
3. Heart failure due to the development of fibrotic processes - replacement of myocardial cells with connective tissue.

Patients with increased production of thyroid hormones, complicated by thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy, complain of the following problems:

• General symptoms are weakness, irritability, increased fatigue.
• Signs of heart failure are chest pain, shortness of breath when walking, heart rhythm disturbances, palpitations. In the initial stages of the disease, this happens only during emotional shock; later, arrhythmias appear even at rest.
• Swelling and headache. If the heart malfunctions, the kidneys suffer - the blood is supplied with insufficient pressure to filter, so some of the fluid remains in the body. It is distributed in the form of edema throughout the limbs.

The examination reveals deviations from the norm:

• In the sizes of the heart, liver and spleen.
• In heart rate. These deviations are clearly visible on the cardiogram.
• In specific indicators. The thickness of the walls in the chambers of the heart increases, the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure increases, and extraneous noise occurs in the heart.

Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy resolves after normalization of thyroid function. Until then, symptomatic treatment is indicated - beta blockers to turn off the reaction to catecholamines, as well as diuretics to reduce swelling.

Thyroid deficiency

Decreased thyroid hormone levels pose a risk to the heart. Triiodothyronine regulates lipid metabolism in the body; when it is deficient, cholesterol levels increase. Long-term hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland leads to atherosclerotic changes in the heart and blood vessels.

It is easier to treat a lack of thyroid function than an excess. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy normalizes heart function. As an auxiliary measure, medications with statins are used - they reduce cholesterol levels.

The result of a lack of hormones:

• Decreased heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute at rest).
• A decrease in systolic blood pressure against the background of no changes in diastolic.
• Chest pain that is not associated with physical activity.

During a clinical examination, the doctor detects a decrease in the volume of blood that the heart pumps into the arteries. Heart sounds are also muffled, and X-ray examination shows changes in the structure of the chambers, provoked by protein deficiency.

Is euthyroidism dangerous for the heart?

Euthyroidism is a special condition when, with diseases of the thyroid gland, the level of its hormones remains normal. This is part of the picture of autoimmune thyroiditis, diffuse toxic goiter.

With euthyroidism, hormones that affect the condition of the heart are produced normally by the thyroid gland. Therefore, pathology does not have any effect on the myocardium.

Doctors refer patients with euthyroidism to a cardiologist because the condition is temporary. As thyroid disease progresses, hormone levels will increase or decrease, which will affect the condition of the heart and blood vessels.

How to treat the thyroid gland and heart?

If there is a deficiency of specific hormones, the doctor may prescribe their synthetic analogues. In the case of increased production of biologically active substances, choosing a treatment is somewhat more difficult.

Treatment for advanced stages of hyperthyroidism is most often surgical removal. Doctors simply remove the part of the organ that is most active. If we are talking about small deviations in hormone levels, then medications are used.

As soon as the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland returns to normal and heart function returns to normal, the patient can stop taking medications.

You should not self-medicate if you notice heart pain and other symptoms of pathology. You should immediately go to an endocrinologist. The specialist will give directions for tests, and after receiving their results, will select medications.

How does the thyroid gland hurt?

Pain is one of the main signs signaling the appearance of pathology. For most thyroid diseases, this symptom is not typical, which makes diagnosis difficult. Disturbances in the functioning of the gland can manifest themselves as increased fatigue and irritability, changes in heart rate, fluctuations in blood pressure, weight changes and other signs. Up to 60% of people with thyroid diseases are unaware of their presence until a thyroid ultrasound and hormone analysis are performed.

Could it be that the thyroid gland hurts? The pain is not necessarily caused by a problem with this organ. Unpleasant sensations in the neck area are often caused by cervical osteochondrosis and pathologies of the ENT organs. Thyroid pain can occur with subacute thyroiditis, an inflammation caused by a viral infection. The disease is accompanied by an increase in temperature and a deterioration in general well-being.

Another reason why the thyroid gland hurts is nodular goiter. With this pathology, the organ can significantly increase in size, which leads to compression of the respiratory tract.

Thyroid diseases

Thyroid pathologies can be congenital or acquired. The condition of the organ is negatively affected by stress, ionizing radiation, bad habits, unbalanced nutrition, and neck injuries. At risk are people living in regions with poor ecology and iodine deficiency in the soil. The development of pathology can be provoked by disturbances in the functioning of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, which affect the level of secretion of thyroid hormones.

The main types of thyroid diseases are:

• endemic goiter - an increase in the size of the gland due to a lack of iodine;
• diffuse toxic goiter - changes in the structure of an organ, occurring with excessive secretion of hormones;
• autoimmune thyroiditis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the gland, in which the immune system damages the cells of the organ;
• subacute thyroiditis - inflammation of the organ due to a viral infection;
• tumor diseases, which can be benign or malignant.

In case of endemic goiter and autoimmune process, the hormonal status may remain normal. To determine it, the patient is sent for laboratory tests to determine the content of T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The most severe pathologies of the thyroid gland are caused by impaired secretory function. The organ begins to produce too little or too much hormones. Reduced production is called

Can hypothyroidism be cured? hypothyroidism. As a result, myxedema may develop, a disease that can lead to hypothyroid coma. Congenital hypothyroidism in children contributes to the development of cretinism - a serious delay in physical and mental development.

Excessive production of hormones is called hyperthyroidism. Hyperfunction usually occurs with diffuse toxic goiter. A severe form of hyperthyroidism - thyrotoxicosis - leads to disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, heart, digestive organs, and provokes hormonal imbalances.

Signs that something is wrong with the thyroid gland

The body usually gives us “alarm signals,” but we don’t always “hear” them. The following signals indicate a possible imbalance in the thyroid gland:

Constant fatigue and sleep disturbances

This is one of the important symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. If you feel sleepy all the time (even if you've slept for ten hours) or you feel like you just don't have the strength and energy, it's quite possible that you have hypothyroidism.

If you have problems falling asleep and you constantly feel too excited, “on edge”, and your heart rate increases, the problem is most likely hyperthyroidism.

Weight changes

If you have hypothyroidism, your body weight increases and it is very difficult to lose it. If, despite “enhanced nutrition,” you fail to gain weight, this is obviously due to hyperthyroidism.

How thyroid dysfunction affects mood and emotions

In the case of “hyper,” anxiety, panic attacks, rapid changes of thoughts, and problems with concentration predominate.

Hypo is characterized by depression, feelings of sadness and fatigue. This is due to increased levels of serotonin.

Intestinal problems

People with hypothyroidism tend to experience constipation (as related hormonal changes cause digestion to slow down).

Those with hyperthyroidism may suffer from diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.

Muscles and joints

With insufficient production of thyroid hormones, muscle swelling, muscle pain, and numbness in the toes and hands occur. And:

• Rigidity
• Inflammation
• General weakness
• Tendinitis

If it becomes difficult for you to hold objects in your hands, climb stairs, or “get” to high shelves in closets, you most likely have hyperthyroidism.

Reproductive apparatus

Women with hypothyroidism have longer menstrual periods and more painful periods. They may also suffer from infertility and hormonal imbalance (premenstrual syndrome). In both women and men, hypothyroidism causes a weakening of libido (sexual “appetite”).

In women with hyperthyroidism, menstrual periods become shorter and delays are possible. This thyroid dysfunction can also negatively impact fertility.

Hair and skin

If your hair has become dry and brittle and has started to fall out a lot, your thyroid may not be working well. And if dry skin and brittle nails are added to these symptoms, the diagnosis will almost certainly be “hypothyroidism.”

With hyperthyroidism, hair also falls out, but only on the head; the skin looks thin and delicate.

Body temperature

Those suffering from hypothyroidism have a low body temperature, their hands and feet are cold.

With hyperthyroidism, there is a regular feeling of heat and increased sweating.

Cholesterol

With hypothyroidism, there is an increased level of bad cholesterol in the blood. In hyperthyroidism, on the contrary, cholesterol levels are reduced.

Arterial pressure

Several studies have found that the risk of high blood pressure increases with hypothyroidism. With hyperthyroidism, systolic pressure increases and diastolic pressure decreases.

Heart

With hypothyroidism, the pulse is usually slow (about 20 beats per minute less than normal).

With hyperthyroidism, there is an increase in heart rate.

Neck

Goiter is one of the most common manifestations of problems with the thyroid gland. In this case, an enlargement of the thyroid gland occurs, which entails bulging or swelling of the neck in the front part, as well as hoarseness of the voice. Goiter can occur with both hyper- and hypothyroidism.

Is there a predisposition to thyroid diseases?

There are three risk factors that increase the likelihood of thyroid problems:

• Heredity.
• Gender and age (these problems are more common in women and those over forty years old).
• Smoking (cigarettes contain toxic substances that harm this gland). Published by econet.ru

Treatment of arrhythmia in the thyroid gland

If arrhythmia occurs against the background of endocrine diseases, first of all it is necessary to alleviate the condition of hyper- and hypothyroidism. For thyrotoxicosis, beta-blockers (Anaprilin, Atenolol, Betaxolol, Concor, Corvitol, Metoprolol), antithyroid drugs, and iodide are prescribed. All medications should be used only as prescribed by a doctor; self-medication is dangerous. It is necessary to follow a diet.

For the treatment of arrhythmia, medications from the group of calcium channel blockers (Finoptin, Verapamil, Diltiazem, Cadil) and beta blockers (Atenolol, Nadolol) are used. Physiotherapy is also effective: electric sleep, baths (mud, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide). If heart rate disturbances are associated with thyroid diseases, then treatment should be comprehensive. The compatibility of drugs must be determined by a doctor.

How does the thyroid gland affect the nervous system?

With hypothyroidism, weakness, drowsiness, decreased performance and sexual desire are noted. The patient experiences lethargy and apathy, loses interest in life. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to the signs of depression, so before visiting a psychotherapist you should get tested for thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism also affects the nervous system. The person becomes overly excitable and irritable, experiences mood swings, and has problems falling asleep. Against the background of general nervousness, there is an increase in activity and faster speech.