How is hyperthyroidism associated with heart disease?
Hyperthyroidism is a disease of the thyroid gland usually associated with old age. It results in high circulating levels of the thyroid hormone, which results in an increased outflow of blood and subsequent increase workload for the heart. To compensate for the increase work the heart has to do to pump the increased volume of blood, the heart muscles thicken resulting in thickened heart chambers. A thickened heart chamber is less able to relax and fill properly causing increased blood pressures during filling of the heart and subsequently leading to congestive heart failure. What is Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, otherwise known as HCM, is the most common heart disease of the cat. It is characterised by unexplained significantly thickened left heart wall. The cause is unknown although it has been suggested that there is some genetic defect in the muscle fibers of the heart in cats with HCM. The average age of affected cats is 6 years although it can affect ca
