How is thyroid linked to heart disease? Cardiology Basics

How is thyroid linked to heart disease? Cardiology Basics Disorders of thyroid gland can cause heart disease in multiple ways. Heart disease can occur with both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, heart rate increases and there is a hyperdynamic circulatory state which can lead to high output cardiac failure. Unlike in the usual congestive heart failure in which the extremities are cold due to vasoconstriction, in heart failure due to hyperthyroidism, the extremities are warm. Instead of a low volume pulse in usual heart failure, thyrotoxic heart failure has a high volume pulse. Another important cardiac problem in hyperthyroidism is atrial fibrillation with fast ventricular rate, which can also contribute to worsening of heart failure. Some authors feel that hyperthyroidism with atrial fibrillation has a high risk of stroke and other thromboembolic episodes while others disagree.  Hypothyroidism can be associated with heart disease in different ways. Cholesterol levels go up in hypothyroidism, which can enhance plaque build up in coronary arteries enhancing obstruction. But there is a caveat, due to the low heart rate and level of activity in hypothyroidism, they may not present with angina. On the other hand, when hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid supplementation, hitherto silent coronary artery disease can become manifest. That is why thyroxine supplementation is started in low dose and titrated up slowly when associated coronary artery diseas...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs