About 1% of the time, high blood pressure (hypertension) is caused by thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism. Increased thyroid hormone in your bloodstream can cause your heart to pump more blood, which may stiffen your arteries and raise your blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism happens when you have higher than usual levels of thyroid hormone. It affects about
- a rapid heartbeat
- persistent fatigue
- weight loss
- irritability
- trouble sleeping
- poor heat tolerance
More than a
Read on to learn more about the link between hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure.
In about
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause high blood pressure. Hypothyroidism is when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.
What is thyroid hormone and what does it do?
Thyroid hormone is the collective name for two hormones that your thyroid gland produces: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones play a role in regulating your metabolism and determining how your body uses energy. Thyroid hormone acts on every cell in your body.
T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone, while T4 is largely inactive. About
Effect of hyperthyroidism on blood pressure
It’s well established that hyperthyroidism can increase your risk of high blood pressure. Some research suggests that between
In addition to symptoms like a rapid heartbeat and unintentional weight loss, increased thyroid hormone in your bloodstream can also
Increased arterial stiffness combined with an increased cardiac output may lead to more blood being pumped through a smaller space, which can raise blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism and other cardiovascular diseases
Hyperthyroidism that’s left untreated for long periods can also increase the risk of other types of cardiovascular disease. It’s associated with a
High blood pressure is considered to be
Your doctor may suspect that you have secondary high blood pressure if you don’t have risk factors such as obesity or inactivity, and you have typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as a fast heart rate or persistent fatigue.
High blood pressure can be the initial sign for at least
Your doctor can find out if your thyroid hormones are contributing to your high blood pressure by ordering a
- T3
- T4
- thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- thyroid antibodies
Importance of blood pressure management
High blood pressure can cause problems throughout your body and has been linked to an increased risk of:
Treatment of high blood pressure due to hyperthyroidism often involves correcting the underlying thyroid issue. Typical treatments for high thyroid hormone levels include:
- medications called thioamides to stop the thyroid from producing excess hormones
- radioactive iodine treatment to destroy cells that produce thyroid hormone
- surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland
For high blood pressure, adopting healthy lifestyle habits in addition to hyperthyroidism treatment may help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. These lifestyle changes include:
- getting regular exercise
- achieving or maintaining a healthy body weight
- eating a balanced, nutritious diet that prioritizes whole foods
- quitting or avoiding smoking
- managing your stress levels in a healthy way
Learn more about lifestyle habits for lowering blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism is often treatable, which can help reverse complications such as high blood pressure.
Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It’s an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks healthy cells in your thyroid. Graves’ disease tends to have a
Without proper treatment, hyperthyroidism can get worse over time. This can cause more severe symptoms and serious complications such as:
- blood clots
- stroke
- heart failure
Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid hormone levels are higher than they should be. This can increase your cardiac output and stiffen your arteries, which can raise your risk of high blood pressure.
Hyperthyroidism is often overlooked as a contributing factor for high blood pressure since it’s a relatively rare underlying cause. Your doctor may suspect hyperthyroidism if you have characteristic symptoms such as a fast heart rate, fatigue, and weight loss. A blood test can determine whether you have hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism treatments include medication, iodine treatment, or surgery. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits may help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range when combined with treatment for hyperthyroidism.