ABSTRACT
The cardiovascular manifestations of thyroid disease are well documented and may lead
to clinical diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction. Although the effects of severe thyroid disease
have been increasingly researched and expanded upon since the early nineteenth century,
recent studies have increased our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for
the cardiovascular changes occurring in thyroid disease. The hemodynamic changes
associated with both hyper-and hypothyroidism have been measured and continue to be an
area of research effort. The effects of subclinical stages of thyroid disease on the
cardiovascular system and the potential benefits of treatment at this early disease stage are
reported with increasing frequency in the literature. This review will address recent
progress in defining the mechanism of thyroid hormone action on the heart as well as the
hemodynamic changes, clinical consequences, and treatment options associated with both
overt and subclinical disorders of thyroid function.
