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Heart rate and systolic blood pressure are high during both day and night in patients with hyperthyroidism
The background of the study. Many patients with
hyperthyroidism have increases in heart rate and systolic blood
pressure. In this study, heart rate and blood pressure were measured
frequently for 24 hours in patients with hyperthyroidism before
and after treatment and in normal subjects.
How the study was done. The study subjects were 20 patients (average age, 49 years) with hyperthyroidism and normal blood pressure. At the clinic, their average heart rate was 92 beats/min and their average blood pressure was 130/76 mm Hg. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured at 30-minute intervals during the day and at 60-minute intervals during the night using an ambulatory monitor. The measurements were repeated in 18 patients when they were euthyroid. In addition, 15 normal subjects were studied once.
The results of the study. The average 24-hour heart rate and systolic blood pressure were higher in the patients with hyperthyroidism than in the normal subjects (88 vs. 72 beats/min, and 125 vs. 115 mm Hg), but their diastolic blood pressure was similar (71 vs. 69 mm Hg). The heart rate and systolic blood pressure were higher in the patients during both day and night.
The patients’ average 24-hour heart rate and systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, decreased after antithyroid treatment. At that time their heart rate was lower during both the day and night, whereas systolic blood pressure was lower only during the day.
The conclusions of the study. Patients with hyperthyroidism have a rapid heart rate and high systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic blood pressure, during both the day and night (not just when in the doctor’s office), and the changes are reversible with antithyroid treatment.
The original article. Iglesias P, Acosta M, Sanchez
R, Fernandez-Reyes MJ, Mon C, Diez JJ. Ambulatory blood pressure
monitoring in patients with hyperthyroidism before and after control
of thyroid function. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2005;63:66-72.
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | November 2005 Thyroid Digest |
