Thyroid and Heart Disease

This week, Brett Newcomb and I are talking about the thyroid and heart disease, as well as other gland issues that can contribute to the development of heart disease. Common wisdom in this country seems to be that everyone fears an overactive thyroid (called “hyperthyroidism”) because it can lead to arrhythmias and heart attacks. While it is true that such a thing can happen if left untreated, it is much more common and less well known that an under-active (hypothyroidism) thyroid can lead to heart problems.

The thyroid is a critical part of the body’s maintenance and operational systems. It is the thermostat of the body, among other things. It stimulates and strengthens the muscles, particularly the heart muscle. When it is underperforming, you begin to show symptoms such as hair loss, eyebrow loss, weight gain, slowed heart rate, higher or lower blood pressure, and feeling cold. You also get swelling in your feet and hands. The function of the thyroid is to maintain a steady and consistent blood flow to all parts of the body by regulating the heart muscle. When the thyroid is off in either direction, there is concern and there should be intervention.