Thyroid Dysfunctions and the Vascular System

Abstract

The heart is a central target organ for thyroid hormone action. Therefore, marked changes in cardiac function (mainly heart rate and contractility) can be found in patients with hypo-or hyperthyroidism, whether overt or subclinical. On the other hand, non-thyroidal (cardiac or noncardiac) diseases, as well as treatments used for cardiovascular diseases, may exert relevant actions on thyroid function.