Your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, helps regulate your metabolism by releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones include triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine or T4) and calcitonin.
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid is underactive and does not produce enough of these hormones. The condition can cause many of your body's functions to slow down. In addition to affecting your energy levels, hypothyroidism can actually slow your heart rate, increase your cholesterol levels, increase the fluid around your heart and, ultimately, lead to heart failure. Taking medication to replace your missing thyroid hormones may be able to help or reverse some heart conditions, in addition to treating your other symptoms.
Know the signs
Protect your heart health by discussing any potential symptoms of hypothyroidism with your primary care provider or an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in glandular issues and hormone imbalances. In addition to high cholesterol and a slow heart rate, some common symptoms include:
• Constipation
• Depression
• Difficulty tolerating the cold
• Dry or thinning hair
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Fertility issues
• Goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland)
• Irregular or heavy menstrual cycles
• Joint pain
• Muscle weakness, stiffness or pain
• Swollen or puffy face
• Weight gain
When it doesn't start in the heart
Your heart is impacted by a number of things, including chronic diseases that don't seem like they would have anything to do with your heart. Talk to your doctor about how you can maintain good cardiovascular health if you have or have had any of the following conditions:
• Diabetes -- Diabetes can cause sugar to build up in your blood, which can damage your heart and other organs.
• Cancer -- Chemotherapy and radiation can weaken the heart muscle, and radiation has additional heart-related side effects, ranging from slowing the heart rate to narrowing of the heart valves, a condition known as stenosis that can strain the heart.
• Kidney diseases -- Chronic kidney problems can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other problems with the vascular system. All of these issues are risk factors for heart disease.
• Inflammatory bowel disease -- Patients with IBD have a small, but noteworthy, risk of developing blood clots. These clots form most commonly in the lungs and legs, but they have been known to occur in the heart (where they can cause a heart attack) or the brain (where they can cause a stroke).
Siloam Springs Internal Medicine offers comprehensive care, from routine and preventive health services to special needs. Helping you to maintain good health and wellness is our primary goal. Call 479-215-3070 to schedule an appointment or visit NW-Physicians.com.
About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 50 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care. SSRH is an affiliate of Northwest Health, the largest health system in Northwest Arkansas. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs. For more information, visit NorthwestHealth.com.