Getting to the Heart of the Matter:

The Thyroid-Congestive Heart Failure Link

The human endocrine system is an extremely complicated biological mechanism. The regulation of hormone levels in our bodies can impact virtually every aspect of our physical and mental health, and when things go awry in this system, the consequences can be devastating. Many scientists have argued that current research has only begun to scratch the surface in terms of understanding the full significance of hormones and their health impact in the human body.

Many men and women diagnosed with thyroid disorders often have a deep-seated understanding of the broad impact of these health problems. The spectrum of symptoms and problems that have been linked to thyroid malfunction ranges runs the gamut from anxiety to weight gain -- and includes stops at virtually every letter in the medical dictionary along the way. Indeed, in the eyes of patients dealing with a thyroid diagnosis, it can often seem like there are very few health factors that thyroid problems can't cause.

Out of the full range of associated symptoms and health problems that have been linked to thyroid disorders, one stands out as particularly serious -- congestive heart failure. In recent decades, a number of prominent studies have established correlations between thyroid problems and an increased risk of developing congestive heart failure. This week, we'll take a closer look at the link between thyroid disorders and congestive heart failure, as well as some of the new research that is emerging to offer hope to patients with this dual diagnosis.

What is Congestive Heart Failure?

Although patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism can experience heart problems, including palpitations and tachycardia, but congestive heart failure has rarely, if ever, been linked to an overactive thyroid gland. On the other hand, a clear and compelling link between hypothyroidism (slow thyroid function) and congestive heart failure has been established in the research literature over the last several decades.

Despite its frightening name, congestive heart failure is a medical term that simply describes a failure of the heart muscle to perform at an optimum level. Patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure have hearts that are weak and do not pump as well as they should. Obviously, congestive heart failure hinders the circulatory system's ability to do its job properly.

But what may not be as clear is the severe health impact that this dysfunction can have. Because of substandard pumping and circulation, patients with congestive heart failure have deficient levels of nutrients and oxygen on the cellular level. As a result, the basic tasks of daily life can feel like a massive undertaking. For many patients with congestive heart failure, quality of life and overall well-being are significantly diminished.

The Link Between Hypothyroidism and Congestive Heart Failure

It is not fully understood how and to what extent hypothyroidism causes congestive heart failure, or whether the heart damage that can result in congestive heart failure plays a role in causing thyroid dysfunction. What is clear, however, is that these two disorders often co-exist.

One leading theory holds that because hypothyroidism can increase cholesterol levels in the blood, this can cause hardening of the arteries. This, in turn, can lead to the valve damage that is often a precursor of congestive heart failure. In addition, it is believed that the lack of thyroid hormone in the blood can impact the heart's ability to beat and pump properly.

Prognosis and Outlook

Congestive heart failure is a serious condition, and as uch, patients who are dually diagnosed with congestive heart failure and hypothyroidism often face a challenging battle to maintain health and quality of life.

However, the prognosis for dually-diagnosed patients is often very good. In fact, when the underlying hypothyroidism is being properly treated, many patients undergo significant improvement -- and in some cases even a reversal -- of congestive heart failure symptoms.

As such, the key to proper management of these disorders is to comply with all prescribed medication regimens, taking care to ensure that thyroid hormone levels remain as stable and consistent as possible. In addition, a healthy diet, frequent periods of rest, minimal sodium intake, and daily low-intensity exercise are all components of successful management of a dual diagnosis of hypothyroidism and congestive heart failure.

If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and congestive heart failure, consult with your medical team to develop a customized treatment management plan that's tailored to your specific needs. Be sure to check back each week for more thyroid health news!

For Further Reading

• http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1997/01_97/bales.htm

• http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide-heart-failure

• http://www.heartpoint.com/congheartfailuretellme.html