Can Hyperthyroidism Cause Hypertension?

By Author: Nitin Sharna
Total Articles: 3
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Your thyroid may be small, but it has a big role to play in helping your body maintain normal functions. When your thyroid works properly, other systems and organs are also balanced. But when your thyroid does not work the way it should and produces excessive or too few hormones, other bodily systems get affected, including your cardiovascular system. Hyperthyroidism leads to multiple heart complications.
The thyroid produces hormones essential for your body’s functioning. You can take hyperthyroidism medicines if the levels are too high or insufficient. You also experience changes in your weight, energy levels, and sleep patterns.
What is this condition?
Hyperthyroidism, also called an overactive thyroid, is a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormone, causing several functions in your body to effectively ‘speed up.’ Hyperthyroidism is most caused by an autoimmune disease, but it can develop from overactive thyroid nodules, too much intake of iodine, or for unknown ...
... reasons.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include irregular heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, increased appetite, insomnia, nervousness, and sweating. When a person has hyperthyroidism, the diastolic blood pressure reduces as the blood vessels relax. Their systolic blood pressure goes up because the excess thyroid hormone causes the heart to contract harder and adds further strain.
How does it affect the heart?
If you have untreated hyperthyroidism, the way your blood flows through your heart gets affected, leading to severe cardiovascular concerns such as heart failure and hypertension. Therefore, there is a strong connection between hyperthyroidism and heart problems.
While hyperthyroidism causes high blood pressure, other conditions leading to hypertension include obesity, lack of exercise, pregnancy, tobacco use, stress, and high sodium in the diet. You can take hypertension medicines and control your diet for relief.
How to manage it?
High blood pressure often develops gradually over time and may not exhibit any signs. Because of this, it is 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 make treating and managing it easier and more effective. The best way to manage hyperthyroidism is to treat its source.
If your blood pressure is high due to an overactive thyroid, regulating the hormones with hyperthyroidism medicines should reduce it.
When to seek medical help?
Both hyperthyroidism and hypertension can develop and progress with few or no symptoms. Therefore, it is safer to go for regular body check-ups with your doctor to ensure that your blood pressure and thyroid levels are within the normal range.
Conclusion
Your heart is the most affected organ in hyperthyroidism, leading to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular concerns. If you experience any signs such as unintentional weight loss, shaking, insomnia, or nervousness, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to get a personalised treatment plan to manage the condition and prevent hypertension.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are purely based on external research. For better healthcare, we would recommend you to approach a specialist.