Mujer, corazón y tiroides

Thyroid hormones play an important role in maintaining cellular metabolism and cardiovascular homeostasis. Thyroid dysfunction caused by an underactive or overactive thyroid gland is more common in women than in men. It is estimated that one out of ten women will develop some form of thyroid dysfunction in her lifetime. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can both cause hemodynamic and cardiac changes that can ultimately lead to cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias and heart failure. Additionally, subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated with cardiovascular changes. However, there is no clear evidence that treatment of these mild forms of thyroid dysfunction improves cardiovascular risk factors, or prevents cardiovascular events. In this review we will describe and analyze the cardiovascular consequences of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and the mechanisms involved in the development of these complications.