More than 2 million Spaniards don't know they have thyroid problems (and how it can affect their heart)

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 750 million people worldwide suffer from some thyroid disorder. The most surprising thing is that 60% don't even know it. According to the Spanish National Institute of Health (SEEN), 10% of people in Spain suffer from this disorder, of which between 40 and 60% don't know it. This means that between 1.9 and 2.9 million Spaniards could have thyroid problems without knowing it. Among these conditions, hyperthyroidism is one of the most common, much more common in women than in men.

Furthermore, prevalence increases with age. Therefore, it is recommended that women over the age of 45 or 50 undergo a thyroid function check. This is especially true if they are entering menopause. Early diagnosis is important, among other reasons, because of its impact on the cardiovascular system.

Cristina Montalbán, an endocrinologist at Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre Hospital , explains: “Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormones, which accelerates various bodily functions and can cause a series of symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, increased heart rate, nervousness, tremors, extreme fatigue, and sensitivity to heat .”

Specifically, this excess of thyroid hormones "acts by increasing metabolism and sensitivity to other substances such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. This means that patients may experience tachycardia, palpitations, or fatigue," says Diego Segura, a member of the Clinical Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) .

Beware of joint fibrillation

All of this can lead to a patient, especially if they have a genetic predisposition, increasing their risk of atrial fibrillation, which is an arrhythmia or "irregular heart rhythm that can be dangerous and increase the risk of blood clots and strokes," says Montalbán.

Diego Segura adds: "It can also promote other cardiac events, such as extrasystoles (extra premature heartbeats), which cause a sensation of the heart skipping a beat , or other types of tachycardia. Maintaining high levels of thyroid hormones in the medium and long term has also been linked to heart failure, which can lead to fatigue or a feeling of shortness of breath in the patient."

The benefits of early diagnosis

The prognosis for patients improves considerably with early diagnosis, as appropriate treatment is available. That is, "antithyroid drugs that balance hormone levels," says Segura. Furthermore, it is advisable to "perform regular laboratory tests to measure the hormones involved and adjust the drug dosage accordingly."

Hyperthyroidism can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and increase the chance of stroke.

If symptoms or arrhythmias appear, the specialist recommends "consulting with your cardiology specialist for a thorough evaluation with an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, monitoring blood pressure and lipid profile. And, in the case of atrial fibrillation, assessing its return to normal (sinus) rhythm and the need for anticoagulation to prevent blood clots ," Segura points out.

Beyond the usual treatment

To properly protect the heart, the specialist states that controlling thyroid hormone levels is not enough. The patient's lifestyle must also be monitored: "They must maintain a balanced diet, avoid toxic habits such as tobacco, alcohol , or other drugs, and maintain a moderate exercise routine."

"Given certain cardiac consequences of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, it will also be essential to take cardiological medication to improve symptoms and attempt to resolve the heart disease or secondary arrhythmias ," concludes Diego Segura.