Is Your Thyroid Causing Your High Blood Pressure
For most, high blood pressure, or hypertension is can be attributed to family history or lifestyle. For some, however, high blood pressure is the result of either an overactive or underactive thyroid.
An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone. When too much of this hormone is produced, the heart is forced to work harder than usual, which increases heart rate and raises blood pressure. Hyperthyroidism is the more common thyroid disorder that can cause hypertension.
Conversely, hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism can weaken the heart muscle and heart rate, reducing the hearts pumping capacity and increase the stiffening of blood-vessel walls. The combination of these changes can lead to hypertension.
If a thyroid disorder is the reason for high blood pressure, adjustments in diet and lifestyle wont resolve the problem and medications may not be effective. If a patients blood pressure does not respond to conventional treatment, a doctor can perform tests to see if the thyroid is the cause.
In cases where hypertension due to a thyroid disorder is diagnosed, medications or supplemental hormones can be prescribed to control the thyroid gland and better control blood pressure.
Help Your Heart Stay Healthy
Monitoring your thyroid function is just one way you can prevent heart problems, especially as you get older. At Phoenix Heart, our cardiologists perform comprehensive diagnostic testing for heart-related symptoms, getting to the root cause of symptoms so your care can be tailored to your needs. If youre having any type of unusual heart symptoms or if its been a while since youve had a cardiac evaluation, call the office or use our online form to schedule an appointment today.
When To See A Gp
See a GP if you have symptoms of an overactive thyroid.
They’ll ask about your symptoms and if they think you might have a thyroid problem, they can arrange for a blood test to check how well your thyroid is working.
If the blood test shows that you have an overactive thyroid, you may be referred for further tests to identify the cause.
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Can An Under Or Over Active Thyroid Affect My Menstrual Cycle
Many women dont think about their thyroid until theres something wrong with it. Some may not even know what it is, but Grace is here to help.
Having issues with your thyroid can lead to changes in your menstrual cycle. While you might not currently have problems with your thyroid, looking out for changes in your period could help you catch the problem early on. Heres what you need to look for when detecting an overactive or underactive thyroid.
How Does Thyroxine Increase Blood Pressure
Insufficient thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Because it also makes the arteries less elastic, blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body. Elevated cholesterol levels, which contribute to narrowed, hardened arteries, are another possible consequence of low thyroid levels.
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Does Hyperthyroidism Go Away On Its Own
Not usually. Unfortunately, you cant even do a whole lot on your own to rid yourself of the condition. If you want to minimize the many health risks posed by hyperthyroidism, the best thing you can do is ask to get tested by your doctor early if you are displaying symptoms. The sooner its detected, and a hyperthyroidism treatment plan is put into action, the better your chances are of successfully beating it.
Early Warning Signs Of Thyroid Issues
Thyroid issues can be difficult to diagnose on their own. This is due to the fact that they can be mistaken for other health issues such as menopause or cognitive problems. On the other hand, there are early warning signs of thyroid issues that you should be aware of.
7 early warning signs of thyroid issues include:
- Sensitivity to heat
- Sensitivity to cold
While these symptoms may point to a problem with your thyroid, only a medical professional will be able to confirm it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Our team of board certified physicians are here to help diagnose your thyroid disease and develop a treatment plan that will help restore your health.
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What Else Could Be Causing Your High Blood Pressure
While hyperthyroidism can cause high blood pressure, many other underlying conditions can lead to a person developing hypertension. These include:
High blood pressure often develops gradually over time and may not exhibit any signs or symptoms. Because of this, it’s important to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and preferably more frequently if you fall into one or more of the above categories.
Identifying high blood pressure early can help make treating and managing it much easier and more effective.
The best way to manage high blood pressure is to treat its source. If your blood pressure is high due to an overactive thyroid, regulating your thyroid hormones should lead to your blood pressure lowering.
Hypertension And Increased Cardiovascular Risk In Overt Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is accompanied by cardiovascular complications in a significant number of cases, leading to an increase in short-term morbidity and long-term morbidity and mortality. Brandt et al. found a significant 20% increase in mortality in patients with hyperthyroidism in their meta-analysis based on seven studies .
The excess of T3 leads to metabolic and hemodynamic changes: metabolic rate, cardiac preload, and ventricular contractility increases while systemic vascular resistance decreases, causing an increased cardiac output and hypertension, as discussed above.
The highest risk of coronary heart disease mortality and atrial fibrillation is noted when serum TSH is below 0.10 mIU/l .
Hemodynamic changes affect not only the left cardiac output, since pulmonary hypertension may also be present in patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves-disease or nodular goiter . Pulmonary hypertension was found to be the most common complication in a study which investigated hyperthyroid patients by echocardiography . The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was detected to be relatively high among hyperthyroid patients, varying between 36 and 65%, although mild and asymptomatic cases were found to be the most common .
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Hypothyroidism And Hyperthyroidism Relationship To Blood Pressure
This article was written by a Medical Doctor and reviewed by the thyroid health experts at ThyroMate.
ThyroMate articles uses only proven, accurate, credible sources in order to provide accurate, fact-checked information about thyroid health that is helpful and objective. All references are linked throughout the article and sources for each are cited at the end. Visit these links to learn more about the research studies and conclusions drawn from the research methods.
Information contained on this website is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult your physician for questions related to your health.
The thyroid has always played a big part in the growth and development of the human body. Without the regulation of the thyroid gland, the body would be out of sync, and the results would be detrimental to someones health and wellbeing. Even though the thyroid gland is very small, located just below the Adams Apple around the throat, it has a big responsibility. Its functionality helps secrete hormones that influence the temperature of the body, developmental growth, metabolism, and blood pressure.
Between the thyroid and blood pressure, they both share connections with one another that may show warning signs to a patient and their doctor.
How Are Thyroid Conditions Treated During Pregnancy And While Breastfeeding
Many medicines used to treat thyroid conditions during pregnancy are safe for your baby. Thyroid medicines can help keep the right level of thyroid hormones in your body. Your provider gives you blood tests during pregnancy to check your TSH and T4 levels to make sure your medicine is at the right amount . T4 is a hormone made by your thyroid.
If youre taking medicine for a thyroid condition before pregnancy, talk to your provider before you get pregnant. Your provider may want to adjust or change your medicine to make sure its safe for your baby. If youre already taking thyroid medicine when you get pregnant, keep taking it and talk to your provider about it as soon as possible.
Treating hyperthyroidism. If you have mild hyperthyroidism, you may not need treatment. If its more severe, you may need to take an antithyroid medicine. This medicine causes your thyroid to make less thyroid hormone.
Providers sometimes use radioactive iodine to treat hyperthyroidism. Pregnant women shouldnt take this medicine because it can cause thyroid problems in the baby.
Antithyroid medicines are safe to take at low doses while youre breastfeeding.
If you had hypothyroidism before getting pregnant, you most likely need to increase the amount of medicine you take during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about your medicine as soon as you find out youre pregnant. Your provider can check to make sure youre taking the right dose by checking your TSH levels during pregnancy.
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Genetic Background Of Thyroid Function Affecting Blood Pressure
While a normal TSH and consequently fT4 and fT3 within the physiological range are essential in growth, differentiation and maintenance of adequate function of all human organs, several genetic defects have been evaluated and described in the route of thyroid hormone signaling during the past decade, including those with mutations in thyroid hormone transporters and receptors . According to novel studies, even minor changes in the thyroid hormone levels can affect bone mineral density , mental status , and can also lead to impaired metabolism , and increased cardiovascular risk . While the levels of the serum thyroid hormones show marked inter-individual variability, there is no significant intra-individual variability, as TSH values change very little during time . Based on these results a conclusion can be made that each individual has a unique thyroid set-point, defined by genetic and environmental factors such as iodine intake and smoking .
How Is The Thyroid Related To The Menstrual Cycle
Aside from the metabolism and heartbeat rate, the thyroid also plays an essential role in your reproductive health. It directly affects your ovaries and indirectly interacts with sex hormone-binding globulin . SHBG is a protein that “sticks” to reproductive hormones so they can be carried throughout your body. Menstrual problems tend to be most common in those with severe thyroid disease and less common in those with mild or moderate cases.
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Hypothyroidism: The Cardiac Connection
Hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system in a number of ways. Insufficient thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Because it also makes the arteries less elastic, blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body. Elevated cholesterol levels, which contribute to narrowed, hardened arteries, are another possible consequence of low thyroid levels.
Another noncardiac symptommuscle achesmay also be relevant. Muscle aches can be a symptom of hypothyroidism as well as a side effect of cholesterol-lowering statin medications, a condition known as statin-related myalgia. In fact, research suggests that hypothyroidism is more common in people who can’t tolerate statins. “Some experts believe that treating hypothyroidism may relieve or decrease statin-related myalgia,” says Dr. Garber.
Your Thyroid And Your Heart
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck, and it manufactures and releases several hormones that influence your overall health and wellness. Your thyroid hormones play a big role in growth and development, and they also help regulate your metabolism.
One of their primary roles is to help regulate the way your organs function. While just the right amount of thyroid hormones keep your organs running smoothly, when the level of thyroid hormones is too high, it speeds up organ function, making your organs work harder than they should.
If you have an overactive thyroid, it can speed up your heart function, making your heart beat too quickly. Over time, hypothyroidism can wear out your heart, leading to whats known as high-output heart failure.
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Favorite Sites For Hyperthyroidism Diet Advice
For quick and easy-to-follow diet pointers, check out this handy guide from Harvard Medical School. Here you can learn about the roles that fiber, iodine, fats, and carbs all play in your thyroid health. We also consider this a good starting point for discussing your dietary needs with your endocrinologist.
If youve got the basics down, now its time to learn more about what specific foods may help your hyperthyroidism. Endocrine Webs slideshow covers the five must-have foods to add to your grocery cart for potential hyperthyroid relief.
Thyroid Disorder And Hypertension
Both types of thyroid disorder can lead to hypertension, though they get there in different ways. Hyperthyroidism increases your heart rate and makes your heart work harder, while hypothyroidism weakens your heart muscle and makes it less efficient.
About 3% of people with hypertension have thyroid disorder, and its called secondary hypertension.
In those cases, the usual medications for treating blood pressure dont help lower it. However, treating the underlying thyroid condition along with anti-hypertensive treatments can help.
If youve been diagnosed with thyroid disorder and your blood pressure is consistently high, schedule an appointment at Heart & Vascular Institute. We offer expertise in both cardiology and endocrinology to help you live the healthiest life possible.
To schedule an appointment, call one of our convenient locations in Dearborn, Detroit, or Southfield, Michigan, or use our online booking tool.
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Systolic Or Diastolic Hypertension
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when that force is too high and begins harming the body. If left untreated, it willl eventually cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.
Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers: The top systolic blood pressure measures the force pushing against artery walls when the heart is contracting. The bottom diastolic blood pressure measures pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.
Normal blood pressure levels are 120 mmHg/80 mmHg or lower. At risk levels are 120-139 mmHg/80-89 mmHg. Readings of 140 mmHg/90 mmHg or higher are defined as high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure And Chest Pain
Finally, many people who have hyperthyroidism also have high blood pressure, in part due to the excess activity of the heart. If you also have atherosclerosis , elevated blood pressure can cause chest pain or angina, as well. All this excess strain on the heart can lead to an enlarged heart and thickened heart walls , eventually causing heart failure.
An overactive thyroid can cause other symptoms, too, including:
Hyperthyroidism becomes more common as we age, and whats more, the heart-related symptoms of overactive thyroid also occur more frequently in older men and women.
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Hypothyroidism Vs Hyperthyroidism: Whats The Difference
The difference all comes down to the prefix in each word: hyper- means over or exaggeration, while hypo- means under or beneath. When it comes to -thyroidism, hyper- means an overactive thyroid gland, and hypo- means an underactive one.
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, can actually be caused by treatments for hyperthyroidism, since their whole purpose is to decrease thyroid gland activity. Those treatments, however, can tip the balance too far. Conversely, hyperthyroidism can be caused by taking too much thyroid hormone replacement medication to treat an underactive thyroid.
Is Graves Disease The Same As Hyperthyroidism
Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, but theyre not the same thing. While all patients with Graves disease have hyperthyroidism, patients with hyperthyroidism may not necessarily have Graves disease .
In Graves disease, the body makes an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin , which causes the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone . Graves disease runs in families and is more commonly found in women.
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Have Potassium And Sodium Balance
Both nutrients are electrolytes responsible for keeping fluid balance and a good blood volume in your body. But, you can get high blood pressure with too much sodium and not enough potassium, and this is the reason why you need to maintain the right amounts of these electrolytes.
Potassium can help ease blood vessel tension and reduce the effect of sodium in your body. You can get potassium from these foods:
- Low-fat dairy food products like yogurt and milk
Muscle Aches And Trouble Swallowing
Muscle aches throughout the body are sometimes associated with abnormal thyroid levels. If your muscle aches have recently onset without any other obvious causes, a thyroid disorder is one likely cause. Rarely, muscle breakdown can also occur. If you find that you are unable to build toned muscle, reach out to your physician.
On a similar vein, because the thyroid is located in the neck, the neck muscles are usually the first to experience these symptoms. This includes the muscles associated with swallowing. If you are struggling to swallow, this could be another signs of thyroid problems.
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What Is Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common thyroid problems affecting people in the United States. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12% of the population will have a thyroid condition at some point during their lives. Over half of these individuals are unaware that they have a thyroid problem.
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. There are several reasons this problem may develop, but one of the most common causes in the U.S. is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Globally, the primary cause of hypothyroidism is a lack of dietary iodine, which is necessary to make thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency, however, is becoming less of a factor, as iodized salt is available in most places.
When thyroid hormones are too low in the body, every system can be thrown off. Because thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism, having a medical condition such as hypothyroidism can cause organ systems to slow down, weight gain, and more. Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, constipation, muscle pains, dry skin, slowed heart rate, and cold intolerance.