Can thyroid disease increase the risk of Atrial fibrillation (Afib)? The answer is yes. Many studies show that thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) can increase the risk of AFib. Luckily, both thyroid disease and atrial fibrillation are manageable if you notice the symptoms early and seek medical help. Learn how thyroid disease is connected to atrial fibrillation and the symptoms to look out for in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
How Often Do People Have AFib and Thyroid Disease?
The exact number of people with AFib and thyroid disease is unknown. However, it is believed that if you have hyperthyroidism, you have a significantly higher risk of developing AFib. The odds also go up when you get older, especially over 60. One study of 2015 on people with AFib found that 540 of 8,962 patients were living with hypothyroidism, and 141 with hyperthyroidism.
This indicates that AFib may be more prevalent in people with hypothyroidism than in those with hyperthyroidism. A more recent study from 2022 noted that hyperthyroidism is a common risk factor for AFib, but the relationship of hypothyroidism to AFib is conflicting. It shows a clear incidence rate of AFib with hyperthyroidism is 1.41% per person, while it struggles to show a statistic for AFib with hypothyroidism. It was found that AFib is the most common heart problem associated with overactive thyroids.
Link between thyroid disease and Atrial Fibrillation
Thyroid disease is a well-known risk factor for AFib; especially, the connection of AFib and hyperthyroidism is well established. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone in the body. This increases the heart rate and causes atypical heart rhythms (Afib) and palpitations.
However, when it comes to the connection between AFib and hypothyroidism, things get complicated. While some studies suggest that hypothyroidism may provide a protective effect against AFib, others say the opposite.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) also plays a key role in causing hypothyroidism. It is a type of glycoprotein hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. A 2017 study reveals that higher free thyroxine (fT4) can increase the risk of AFib in people with subclinical hypothyroidism. High TSH or hypothyroidism can cause severe heart issues, including:
- Increased diastolic hypertension
- Heart failure
- Sinus bradycardia (a condition that causes the resting heart rate to be slower than normal)
Another review from 2020 found that high TSH levels in the wider population or people with subclinical hypothyroidism are linked with an elevated risk of mortality from all causes. While hypothyroidism directly doesn’t cause AFib, it is linked with several cardiovascular risk factors that indirectly lead to an increased risk of AFib:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Inflammation
Additionally, research reveals that hypothyroidism can influence heart rhythm, along with how the heart pumps and blood vessels respond. These factors may contribute to a potential indirect link to AFib. Still, more research is needed.
In 2019, research found that either high or low levels of thyroid hormone can cause or exacerbate several heart-related disorders, including:
- Atherosclerotic vascular disease.
- Heart failure.
- Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
- Dyslipidemia.
This shows that thyroid disease and AFib are connected and need more research to understand how they are connected and how to prevent or treat them.
What are the symptoms to look for?
Both conditions have their symptoms that you need to look for. If you have hyperthyroidism, you may notice symptoms like:
- Feeling nervous, anxious, or irritable.
- Have a heartbeat that’s faster than normal or feels unusual.
- Excessive sweating.
- Have difficulty sleeping.
- Swelling in the front or back of your neck.
- Shakiness in your hands and fingers.
- Fatigue or weakness in your muscles.
- Losing weight for no reason.
- Periods change if you’re a woman.
If you’re older, the symptoms may become less clear as people are more depressed or don’t eat enough and spend time with others.
In case you have AFib, you may experience symptoms like:
- Heartbeat that feels off like racing, fluttering, thumping, quivering, or flip-flopping.
- Pain in the chest.
- Feeling confused.
- Dizziness or light-headedness.
- Tiredness or weakness.
- Difficult to exercise because you feel tired quickly.
- Shortness of breath.
- Excessive sweetness.
When to see your doctor?
You should see your doctor if you have symptoms of AFib or hyperthyroidism. It might be something else completely, but this will be helpful to know for sure. If you have chest pain along with other symptoms, then you should go to the emergency room because it can be a sign of a heart attack.
Thyroid disease and atrial fibrillation (AFib) are connected because thyroid disease can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by either impacting the heart and blood vessels directly or increasing other risk factors that indirectly increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Fortunately, these conditions are treatable and manageable by noticing their symptoms and seeking treatment.
If you think you may have thyroid disease or hormonal problems, visit our endocrinology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help that can diagnose your condition and treat it. Call us on +1-718-367-2555 and get answers for all your queries. Log on to www.doralhw.org or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 to book an appointment with our endocrinologist to get the best treatment. We have the best endocrinologists who treat these kinds of diseases and helpful staff to aid you during your treatment.
