Hypothyroidism: The Cardiovascular Connection

Author: Kimberly Bennett, RPh

Everyone with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) knows it can make your heart race and beat irregularly. But you may not be aware of the cardiovascular effects of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

When thyroid hormone production is too low, everything slows down—including heart rate. It also decreases cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped through the system), raises cholesterol, and impairs the release of nitric oxide in the arteries, making them less flexible and driving up blood pressure. As you can see, low thyroid function, which all too often goes undiagnosed, causes more than fatigue and weight gain. Untreated hypothyroidism elevates your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and cardiovascular death.

The good news is that treatment with natural thyroid or compounded bioidentical T3/T4 thyroid hormones enhances multiple parameters of your health. In addition to noticeable improvements in energy, mood, weight, and overall quality of life, you can rest assured that thyroid replacement therapy also has equally profound, if less obvious beneficial effects, on your cardiovascular system.

Call us at 281-828-9088 or visit physicianspreferencerx.com to learn more.