As of: March 23, 2024, 8:33 a.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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The small hormonal gland influences our entire body.
An underactive or overactive thyroid even promotes heart failure.
Our heart is an important target organ for thyroid hormones because they regulate heart strength, heart rate and circulating blood volume.
Therefore, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism always have an impact on the cardiovascular system.
Conversely, for all diseases of the cardiovascular system, a possible connection with the thyroid should always be considered, according to
the German Thyroid Center
.
What is noticeable: in younger patients, the symptoms of the cardiovascular system, such as a racing heart and a change in pulse, due to an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), are more pronounced than in older people.
Thyroid has an influence on possible heart disease
Thyroid hormones influence human metabolism and have effects on the heart and blood pressure.
(Symbolic image) © Science Photo Library/Imago
In Germany, around five out of 100 people suffer from hypothyroidism and around one person in 100 suffer from hyperthyroidism.
Women and older people are particularly often affected.
Hypothyroidism is congenital in around one in 3,400 newborns.
In addition, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism is associated with an enlargement of the thyroid gland - the so-called stroma.
At least 25 percent of the German population develops goiter.
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The thyroid produces important hormones that influence the body's metabolism.
Iodine is particularly needed as a raw material for the production of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
Without iodine, hormones cannot be formed and hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can occur with subsequent symptoms.
Studies show that, in addition to other typical signs of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), the following accompanying symptoms of the cardiovascular system also occur:
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Cardiac arrhythmias
Heart failure (heart failure)
Slowed pulse
In addition to the typical signs, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is often accompanied by the following symptoms of the cardiovascular system:
Cardiac arrhythmias
Heart palpitations (accelerated heart rhythm)
Restlessness/trembling
Experts now know that patients with existing heart disease such as coronary heart disease (CAD) or who have had a previous heart attack are particularly susceptible to thyroid dysfunction.
An additional hyperthyroidism can have a very negative effect, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation of the heart.
Therefore, patients should be treated early for thyroid dysfunction.
Cardiac arrhythmias and their consequences are considered the most common cardiac problem - especially in connection with hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid disease: Malfunction can lead to heart attack
It is also known that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can promote the development of high blood pressure.
Even a mild underactive thyroid (subclinical hypothyroidism) can cause heart failure.
In this context, women over the age of 62 in particular have an increased risk of a heart attack and therefore a higher death rate compared to patients with normal thyroid function.
This is the result of a Dutch study that examined 1,149 women between the ages of 62 and 76.
In the long term, complications due to thyroid dysfunction can also include arteriosclerosis and therefore an increased risk of stroke, as another study showed.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.