Thyroid may make your heart flutter!

Thyroid is a small gland situated in the area of neck. In Greek, thyroid means the shape of a shield. Yes, thyroid gland is vital to a variety of important body functions and does act as a shield. But what happens when the shield is disturbed and goes weak?

Thyroid dysfunction is recorded in approximately one to four people out of hundred

Thyroid link to heart

A research study was conducted in 2009 by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers. It was done to investigate and analyze the genetic link behind rhythm control of heartbeat. They found that the genes that are responsible for synchrony and rhythm in the functioning of heart are also closely connected to the thyroid hormone synthesis and could cause dysfunction of the thyroid.

Thyroid activity directly influences the metabolism, blood flow and electrical activity of the heart. When there isn’t enough thyroid hormone (low levels), the patients complain of low energy levels, fatigue and reduced heart rate.

On the other hand, with increased thyroid hormone levels in the blood, patients report symptoms of hyperactivity of systems. There is diarrhea, palpitations, increased heartbeats and advanced cases show arrhythmias of heart, where normal beating rhythm of heart is disturbed and becomes irregular.

Thyroid hyperactivity can be appropriately controlled with regular medication.

Understanding arrhythmias

When the rhythm of the heart is disturbed, it becomes irregular – this is called cardiac arrhythmia. There are various types of loss of rhythm – heartbeat is too slow (that is, the cycles are taking too long to complete), too fast (the cycles are repeating too quickly), too early (that is, before a cycle is even completed, another starts), too irregular (this is called fibrillation, where no specific pattern may emerge).

The patients who have arrhythmia will often come with complaints of dizziness, shortness of breath, suddenly feeling weak or lightheaded, fainting and feeling of a flutter in chest (flutter can be understood as light but quick flapping of wings by a bird).

Arrhythmias are usually harmless and most people would continue to live a healthy life for years with arrhythmias. But that does not mean it can be ignored. There is a battery of tests available to diagnose and indicate the seriousness of arrhythmias and let your doctor take a call on the line of treatment.

If you have a thyroid dysfunction, get your heart checked immediately. And if you have faced arrhythmias, get your thyroid checked immediately.

Both the conditions are controllable and treatable; there is no cause to worry over what could go wrong. Just be vigilant and informed.