The Thyroid-Heart Connection: What You Need to Know

The Thyroid-Heart Connection: What You Need to Know

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just above the windpipe. Despite its size, it plays a powerful role in your health— that help control your energy, metabolism, and how your organs work. It influences nearly every system in the body, especially the heart. When the thyroid is out of balance, your entire body feels it.¹

Nine out of 10 patients with overt hypothyroidism (condition where thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones) show high cholesterol levels, particularly LDL, known as “bad” cholesterol, which is linked with heart conditions.² When your thyroid hormone levels are low, your heart may beat slower, and your blood vessels can become tighter and less flexible. This makes it harder for blood to flow, so your body raises blood pressure to keep things moving. That’s why it’s important to catch and treat thyroid issues early—to protect your heart and overall health.

Dr Jejoe Karankumar, Medical Affairs Director, Abbott India, “The thyroid is a small gland, but it has a big job, especially when it comes to your heart. Thyroid hormones don’t just control your metabolism, they also help keep your blood vessels working properly. When your thyroid isn’t working right, it can lead to heart problems or make existing heart issues worse.³ That’s why a simple blood test called the TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) test is so important. It helps doctors check if your thyroid is working properly and can catch problems early, before they affect your heart and overall health.”

For many people, the first sign of thyroid trouble isn’t neck swelling or pain, it’s an increase in their cholesterol levels. Sometimes, what feels like normal tiredness or weight gain could be in fact your body slowing down because it’s not getting enough thyroid hormones. These hormones help your cells work properly.⁴

When they’re low^2,4:

• Your pulse may slow down
• Blood pressure can go up
• You might notice puffiness in your ankles or eyelids⁴. 

How can you manage hypothyroidism and protect your heart:

1. For anyone struggling with unexplained symptoms or battling high cholesterol that doesn’t respond as expected, a thyroid test could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
2. A combination of lifestyle, diet and prescribed medication by the treating physician ca be needed to keep the LDL cholesterol and other heart related conditions under control.
3. Thyroid issues are more common in women compared to men, and the stakes become even higher after menopause, when the risk of heart disease escalates.^{5, 6}  This hormonal shift highlights the need of more proactive thyroid testing, which can help with early detection and play a key role in preventing heart-related complications.⁷
4. Severe cases of hypothyroidism can lead to health complications like heart failure and stroke². Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone replacement, which can reverse most of these negative effects.

Your thyroid and heart are closely connected – even when symptoms are hard to spot. With early testing, healthy habits, and the right treatment, you can take control and keep both your thyroid and heart strong for the future.

References

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/thyroid-hormone-how-it-affects-your-heart
2. Soetedjo NNM, Agustini D, Permana H. The impact of thyroid disorder on cardiovascular disease: Unraveling the connection and implications for patient care. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2024 Oct 23;55:101536. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101536. PMID: 39507294; PMCID: PMC11539140.
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/thyroid-hormone-how-it-affects-your-heart#:~:text=Excess%20thyroid%20hormone%20also%20causes,sudden%20awareness%20of%20your%20heartbeat
4. Zúñiga D, Balasubramanian S, Mehmood KT, Al-Baldawi S, Zúñiga Salazar G. Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review. Cureus. 2024 Jan 18;16(1):e52512
5. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/women-with-a-heart-condition/menopause-and-heart-disease#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20early%20menopause,where%20to%20go%20for%20support
6. Mulder JE. Thyroid disease in women. Med Clin North Am. 1998 Jan;82(1):103-25. doi: 10.1016/s0025-7125(05)70596-4. PMID: 9457153.
7. Chon SJ, Heo JY, Yun BH, Jung YS, Seo SK. Serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Levels Are Associated with the Presence of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Healthy Postmenopausal Women. J Menopausal Med. 2016 Dec;22(3):146-153

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.

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