Is hyperthyroid heart disease dangerous?

Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
Updated on February 25, 2025
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Hyperthyroidism can repeatedly cause an increase in heart rate and metabolism, which is quite active, causing a long-term overload of heart function, leading to the formation of hyperthyroid heart disease, a chronic pathological change process. In the middle and early stages, it generally does not pose a life-threatening risk, only manifesting symptoms such as palpitations, tightness after activity, breathlessness, or chest tightness, which can improve with rest. However, if hyperthyroidism is not cured for a long time, or if hyperthyroid heart disease is not treated in time, it can lead to severe heart failure. If there is a severe decline in heart pump function, causing the ejection fraction to be below 30%, it can easily cause sudden pump failure or severe arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, posing a life-threatening risk to the patient.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
1min 24sec home-news-image

The cause of cor pulmonale

Cor pulmonale, also known as pulmonary heart disease, refers to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance caused by pathological changes in the bronchi, lung tissue, thorax, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension and subsequent structural and functional changes in the right ventricle. This condition is clinically referred to as cor pulmonale. The causes of cor pulmonale can be divided into three main categories: The first category is diseases of the bronchi and lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which accounts for approximately 80%-90% of cases. Other causes include bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, severe pulmonary tuberculosis, interstitial pneumonia, and more. The second category involves diseases related to disorders of thoracic cage movement, such as various thoracic deformities, kyphoscoliosis, spinal tuberculosis, arthritis leading to extensive pleural adhesions, and deformities caused by thoracic plastic surgery. The third category includes pulmonary vascular diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary thromboembolism, and other conditions leading to narrowing or blockage of pulmonary arteries, all of which can progress to cor pulmonale.

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Written by Hao Ze Rui
Pulmonology
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Complications of cor pulmonale

Complications of cor pulmonale commonly include several conditions. The first is pulmonary encephalopathy, caused by respiratory failure leading to hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, which can cause somnolence in patients and, in severe cases, lead to coma. The second is acid-base imbalance and electrolyte disturbances. Cor pulmonale may present with various electrolyte disturbances, such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia. The third is arrhythmias, most commonly manifesting as atrial premature beats or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. The fourth complication is shock. Shock is not very common in cor pulmonale, but if it occurs, the prognosis is poor.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Is congenital heart disease heart cancer?

Congenital heart disease primarily refers to the abnormal development of the heart and blood vessels during the fetal period, leading to cardiovascular malformations. It is the most common type of heart disease in children, with an incidence rate of about 6-8 per 1,000 live births. Generally, congenital heart disease refers to malformations during the development of the fetal heart. The exact causes of this condition are still not completely understood. However, actively preventing viral infectious diseases in the early stages of pregnancy and avoiding certain high-risk factors associated with the disease play a significant role in preventing congenital heart disease in children. It should be noted that congenital heart disease represents malformations in the development of the heart and is not a form of heart cancer, hence there is no terminology that describes it as such.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Is hyperthyroid heart disease dangerous?

Hyperthyroidism can repeatedly cause an increase in heart rate and metabolism, which is quite active, causing a long-term overload of heart function, leading to the formation of hyperthyroid heart disease, a chronic pathological change process. In the middle and early stages, it generally does not pose a life-threatening risk, only manifesting symptoms such as palpitations, tightness after activity, breathlessness, or chest tightness, which can improve with rest. However, if hyperthyroidism is not cured for a long time, or if hyperthyroid heart disease is not treated in time, it can lead to severe heart failure. If there is a severe decline in heart pump function, causing the ejection fraction to be below 30%, it can easily cause sudden pump failure or severe arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, posing a life-threatening risk to the patient.

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home-news-image
Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
54sec home-news-image

The difference between hyperthyroid heart disease and heart disease.

Heart disease includes all phenomena of heart dysfunction caused by various reasons, which can collectively be referred to as heart disease. This includes arrhythmias, heart failure, and changes in the cardiac vessels, such as coronary heart disease, coronary artery bridging, and congenital heart disease, all of which are termed heart disease. Hyperthyroid heart disease, on the other hand, is caused by a long period of uncontrolled or untreated hyperthyroidism, leading to changes in heart function and structure. It manifests as palpitations, panic, and severe decline in heart function. It is merely one type of heart disease, representing the changes in the heart caused by hyperthyroidism, and is just a small category of heart disease.