Can Hypothyroidism Cause Heart Arrhythmias?

What is Hypothyroidism? It is a condition defined by the thyroid gland’s inability to produce enough thyroid hormone. This deficiency of hormones can disrupt your heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism. Hypothyroidism can also cause heart arrhythmias. The thyroid gland plays a role in regulating the body’s metabolism, and when the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones, the body’s metabolism may slow down, leading to a slower heart rate. This can result in arrhythmias, which are abnormal rhythms of the heart.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and cold intolerance. If you have these symptoms and are concerned about the possibility of hypothyroidism, it is important to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves taking thyroid hormone replacement medication, which can help to restore normal thyroid function and regulate the heart rate.

Heart Arrhythmias and Hypothyroidism: What Does the Research Say?

In a study published by the American College of Cardiology, researchers found that people with hypothyroidism had a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, even after adjusting for other risk factors such as age and blood pressure. Atrial Fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia that involves irregular and rapid contractions of the heart’s upper chambers (the atria). The study included data from over 100,000 people and found that those with hypothyroidism had a 38% increased risk of atrial fibrillation compared to those without the condition.

Other research has also suggested that hypothyroidism may be associated with a higher risk of other types of arrhythmias, such as bradycardia (a slow heart rate) and tachycardia (a fast heart rate). It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between hypothyroidism and arrhythmias, and that the risk of arrhythmias may vary depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism and other factors.

What Is The Impact of Hypothyroidism On Your Heart?

Hypothyroidism increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, and cholesterol in many patients. While thyroid hormone replacement therapy can help relieve symptoms, it doesn’t treat them entirely. Knowing the functioning of the optimal thyroid gland is essential to understanding how hypothyroidism affects heart rate. The gland regulates body temperature by converting iodine into triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The thyroid gland’s two main hormones are T3 and T4, which increase with an iodine-deficient diet.

When someone has an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), their body lacks enough T3 or T4 to maintain normal body functions such as  contractility (the ability for muscles to squeeze tightly), regulating body temperature, and controlling your heartbeat rate/rhythm. As a result, hypothyroidism negatively impacts your heart health.

Now that we have discussed the impact of hypothyroidism on cardiovascular health let’s shed some light on the relationship between hypothyroidism and Arrhythmia.

Hypothyroidism and Arrhythmias: What Is The Relationship?

While seemingly unrelated, hypothyroidism and heart arrhythmias can affect each other. Hypothyroidism can lead to arrhythmias as the thyroid hormones play a role in regulating heart rate and rhythm. Likewise, some types of heart arrhythmias can also cause hypothyroidism in patients.

Heart Arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart’s electrical activity that cause it to beat irregularly, i.e., too rapidly or slowly. The heart’s regular beating is called sinus rhythm, while an abnormal heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. When an arrhythmia occurs, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s requirements.

What Are The Hypothyroidism Symptoms That You Should Know About?

Symptoms of hypothyroidism may vary from mild to severe depending on the patient. That being said, the most common signs of hypothyroidism are:

• Muscle weakness or tremors
• Facial puffiness or swelling due to fluid retention (edema)
• Fatigue, sleepiness, and lethargy
• Palpitations (a feeling that your heart is beating too fast)
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation) or appetite

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, it’s essential to get in touch with your doctor. Even if the condition doesn’t require immediate treatment, it’s essential to have regular checkups to ensure your medication works and that any side effects are being addressed carefully. There is a variety of medication that is used to treat hypothyroidism.

When you’re diagnosed with hypothyroidism, one of the first things your doctor will do is prescribe medication designed to help your body produce more thyroid hormone. However, this medication isn’t always effective at treating all of the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.

Now that you know about the relationship between Hypothyroidism and Heart Arrythmias, you should know that the best way to keep tabs on your heart condition at all times is to use a smart heart monitor.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Does hypothyroidism cause irregular heartbeats? 

Hypothyroidism can aggravate irregular heartbeats causing heart arrhythmias. They can also increase the chances of heart failure.  

What kind of arrhythmia is associated with hypothyroidism? 

Some studies (ref. link) have shown that hypothyroidism can cause ventricular arrhythmias, while also increasing the risk of atrial arrhythmia.

Can hypothyroidism cause heart problems? 

Hypothyroidism has been known to affect the heart in many negative ways. It can increase the risk of heart failure and thyroid heart disease. A person suffering from hypothyroidism has an increased level of LDL, also known as bad cholesterol, that leads to various heart problems.

Does thyroid indicate a heart problem? 

Research shows that hypothyroidism has a strong effect on cardiac functioning. Hypothyroidism directly leads to a decrease in cardiac output. 

Can hypothyroidism cause heart palpitations and anxiety?

It has been proven (ref. link) that hypothyroidism can cause anxiety and increase stress in individuals if not treated on time. It has also been shown to bring about various cardiovascular dysfunctions, such as palpitations and heart arrhythmias.

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