Immediate treatment of hyperthyroidism may be needed to prevent heart disease, researchers at the De La Salle University Medical Center declared after a study linked hyperthyroidism to various signs and symptoms associated with heart disease.

The researchers stressed that even those diagnosed with hyperthyroidism but show no signs and symptoms, known as subclinical hyperthyroidism, should be given the same medical attention for possible onset of failing heart.

Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition wherein the thyroid glands, found beneath the Adam’s apple, secrete excessive amount of thyroid hormones. Patients with observable signs and symptoms of the disease, known as overt hyperthyroidism, experience heart palpitation, poor heat tolerance, diarrhea, enlargement of the thyroid, and weight loss due to increase in the body’s metabolism.

Changes in the heart’s function due to hyperthyroidism has been well reported. However, the researchers explained that such changes were predominantly reported in cases of overt hyperthyroidism, which prompt immediate treatment of the thyroid condition.

Reports linking abnormal functioning of the heart to subclinical hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, had always been inconsistent and limited. Hence, experts’ opinion on treatment of the subclinical hyperthyroidism to prevent heart disease had been varied. “In effect, controversies whether to treat this subclinical hyperthyroidism remain unsettled,” the researchers said.

In the study, the researchers found correlation with both types of hyperthyroidism with the onset of various abnormal phenomena in the heart’s physiology.

Abnormal physiologic changes in the heart were observed in both types of hyperthyroidism. The thickening of heart muscles changes the shape and size.

Increased in mass of heart’s left lower chamber as well as impairment in its ability to relax was also observed, although it was revealed that this was much more pronounced in overt hyperthyroidism.

Researchers also found that the heart’s ability to pump blood was compromised.

The researchers confirmed that both types of hyperthyroidism affect the heart’s normal physical condition and functioning. However, lack of instruction with regard to subclinical hyperthyroidism in current guidelines is a challenge. They stressed that subclinical hyperthyroidism has similar effects on the heart, which warrant similar medical attention accorded to overt hyperthyroidism.

“With cardiac parameters affected even in subclinical hyperthyroidism, treatment might be indicated regardless if hyperthyroidism is overt or subclinical,” the researchers concluded.