10 Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
Symptom #2: Palpitations
Palpitations can be defined as a perceived abnormality of the heartbeat where the patient is often aware of the changes of cardiac muscle contractions. It can be intermittent, continuous, and associated with other symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and sweating. In hyperthyroidism, palpitations occur due to a change in the nervous system’s control of the heart. The increased thyroid hormones raise the body’s basal metabolic rate causing it to work harder. This leads to the heart pumping harder and faster even at rest or sleep. Tachycardia is commonly seen in hyperthyroid patients at rest.
Since the heart is working harder and pumping out more blood, the increased workload on patients with weak hearts can often lead to heart failure. In some cases, it can lead to an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation happens when the chaotic beating of the atria become less effective leading to poorer filling of the ventricles and inefficient pumping of blood. It is seen in 5 to 15% of hyperthyroid patients.
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