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Thyroid problem news from Thyroid Talk
Thyroid condition increases risk of abnormal heartbeat
But abnormal functioning of the gland is not associated with other heart problems
(March 2006) Older people with an overactive thyroid gland may be at increased risk for developing a form of abnormal heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
The thyroid gland is located in the base of the neck and produces hormones that help regulate metabolism.
In a recent study, Dr. Anne Cappola of the University of Pennsylvania and her colleagues followed more than 3,200 seniors for an average of nearly 13 years.
After excluding participants who already had atrial fibrillation at the beginning of the study, the researchers found that people with a slightly overactive thyroid gland had nearly twice the risk of developing the abnormal heartbeat compared with those who had normal thyroid function.
This form of overactive thyroid did not produce any symptoms and was only detectable with a laboratory test. The researchers did not find enough people with actual symptoms of an overactive gland to include in the study.
People with abnormal thyroid function were not at increased risk for any other heart- or stroke-related problems. Nor were they at increased risk of dying during the study period.
The researchers suggest that someone with an overactive thyroid gland may benefit from treatment to prevent atrial fibrillation. But they advise against all older people getting tested for thyroid problems just to prevent atrial fibrillation, since only one in every 2,500 people would benefit.
With files from The Medical Post.
Source: http://www.macleans.ca
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