Читать книгу The Healthy Thyroid: What you can do to prevent and alleviate thyroid imbalance - Patsy Westcott - Страница 44

One of the most serious consequences of hypothyroidism is that the heart, like every other system in the body, slows down. Sluggish thyroid function causes excess LDL cholesterol to accumulate in the bloodstream, which can lead to atherosclerosis – narrowing and ‘furring’ of the arteries – causing insufficient oxygen to reach the muscles of the heart.

Clues that your heart may be affected include shortness of breath on exertion or, sometimes, chest pain (angina). Another symptom of atherosclerosis is pain in the calf on exertion (intermittent claudication), caused by furred arteries in the leg.

Tests may reveal a slow pulse rate (under 60 beats a minute), unusual in everyone except trained athletes, low blood pressure, unusual in everyone except the very young and/or very fit, and raised levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and other blood fats called triglycerides.