How does the thyroid affect the heart?

Have you ever wondered how a tiny gland in your neck can have such a big impact on your heart’s health? The answer lies with the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that play an important role in regulating heart function. In this article, we’ll explore why and how the thyroid affects the heart and what you can do to keep both organs healthy.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of your neck. It produces two primary hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are responsible for maintaining metabolic rate, body temperature, energy levels, growth, and development.

The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis

To understand how the thyroid affects other parts of our body like our heart or brain, we need to know about an important feedback system called the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. This system helps regulate hormone production and release by communicating between three main organs:

  • The hypothalamus: Located at the base of your brain, it secretes thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates…
  • The pituitary gland: A small pea-sized gland below your brain which releases Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH) when it receives signals from TRH.
  • Thyroid Gland: Produces T3,t4 hormonal secretions when stimulated by TSH release.

Wearing lab coats and stethoscopes doesn’t make us experts! So let’s get back to humor!

How does thyroid affect cardiac function?

Our dear friends admit that they always thought ‘love-saving’ was some Hollywood fantasy but soon realized their mistake during bad breakups with palpitations racing towards anxiety giving them sleepless nights. But that is not the only way thyroid gland affects the heart.

Thermoregulation

The reason why you feel cold in winters or warm during summers might have to do with your thyroid. Remember those hormones T3, and T4? They play a critical role in regulating body temperature by affecting our cells’ metabolism.

Heart rate

The thyroid’s impact on cardiac function cannot be overemphasized. T3 has been shown to increase heart rate while T4 reduces it by decreasing resistance and improving blood flow through arterioles (blood vessels). People with an underactive or hypothyroidism tends to have bradycardia(slow heartbeat)and people with hyperthyroidism usually experience tachycardia(fast pulse).

Can’t wait for five of these! So here are some other ways:

Blood Pressure

Come closer, as we discuss how Thyroid Hormones affect arterial resistance worsening hypertension even resulting in myocardial infarctions(hear attacks)! This surprising factcan make one nail-biting when they remember meatballs were all they had last time their BP shot up .

Curious about anything else? Read up below!

Cholesterol Levels

It’s fairly common knowledge that high cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular disease, but did you know that hypothyroidism can cause elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol? That’s why medication containing thyroxine may help reduce high cholesterol levels associated with hypothyroid conditions reducing risk of future CVD episodes.

However, let everyone agree it would defeat the purpose if every treatment resulted insink-breakingly EXPENSIve bills!

Symptoms of a Thyroid Problem Affecting The Heart?

Do yourself a favor and keep earplugs handy before talking about this because both babies I took care of still cry after hearing me refrain wickedly scaring them!
(cardiac arrests should never be joked about but…very frightening!)

Get serious and be cautious of the following symptoms:

  • Palpitations
  • Arrhythmia(abnormal heartbeat)
  • chest pain
  • High/Low Blood pressure(interchanble due to thyroid hormones effect)
    Avoid being negligent as it could develop into something major.

Taking care of your Thyroid

Now that we know how important the thyroid is, let’s talk about ways to keep it healthy. Here are a few natural remedies everyone should impliment especially if one has hereditary history of Thyroid malfunctioning(Do not substitute these for consultations/procedures in case issues have already shown up):

Iodine

I know everyone here is familiar with iodized salt so next time someone asks what its role in making food tasty just blurt out “Why to make my beloved glands happy dummy!” Alternatively you can say its essential for thyroxine(T4), tryiodothyronine(T3) production vital to Thermoregulation .

Exercise

If physical activiity was an alchemist we believe half of our woes would’ve been solved(Hopeless Optimists). From stimulating metabolic rate and improving mood(that makes us less likely hit snooze on gym alarm), exercise keeps cardiac muscles strong too! It also lowers blood cholesterol levels thus reducing heart disease risks.

  • A word of caution: Excessive activity may interfere with hormonal balance.

Stress Management

Chronic stress leads to multiple complications including high BP and weakens immune system .(see why there really aren’t any winners during arguments?) Measures like medidation, yoga or simply down time moments promoting eustress (positive stress) helps manage HPT axis regulating hormone outputsof TSH both positively impacting thyroid helping maintain all round health benefits.

Conclusion

In conclusion,The link between the Heart and Thyroid gland lies in their shared symbiosis through various functions ranging from thermoregulation, metabollism of cholesterol and BP regulation through Hypothalamus(Pituitary)-Thyroid axis in response to T3/T4 secretions. Symptoms like palpitations, chest pain etc shouldn’t be ignored since it could tranform into something serious down the line.

Henceforth let us all take steps to embrace small yet vital measures ranging from lifestyle management of stress levels , regular routine check-ups with physicians(keeping ears open for cardiac sounds), good hydration by sipping beverages which can dull taste buds momentarily,Tai Chi-those five minutes count!

Stay Safe!

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