Hypertension and cardiovascular risk from hypothyroidism
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure on the blood vessel walls remains high for a long time. This condition increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney damage. When accompanied by hypothyroidism, the cardiovascular risk becomes more serious.
Dr. Manoj Chaddha - endocrinologist at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India - said that thyroid hormones directly affect the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. When hormone levels decrease, heart rate slows down, blood vessel walls lose elasticity and blood circulation is hindered. This is the reason why blood pressure increases and is difficult to control.
Meanwhile, Professor Antonio Bianco - an endocrinology expert at the University of Chicago, USA - said that many women often ignore the initial signs of hypothyroidism because the symptoms progress slowly. "Patients may only think they are gaining weight due to age or prolonged stress, but in fact the thyroid gland is functioning less," he said.
Early recognition for effective control
Experts recommend that women with prolonged high blood pressure accompanied by fatigue, constipation, hair loss, dry skin or frequent cold should have thyroid function screening. Early detection helps treat effectively and reduce pressure on the cardiovascular system.
In addition to taking medication as prescribed, patients need to maintain a balanced diet, limit salt intake, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Controlling cholesterol is also very important because hypothyroidism can increase bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
According to experts, hypothyroidism is one of the few causes of hypertension that can be treated. Proactive periodic health check-ups not only help protect the thyroid gland but also reduce the risk of long-term cardiovascular complications in women.
