Recent Advances in the Relationship Between Thyroid Hormone Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Narrative...

Thyroid hormones may accelerate heart rate and enhance cardiac contractility, improving both systolic and diastolic functions of heart, while reducing systemic vascular resistance at rest. Thyroid dysfunction may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, current findings are not entirely consistent, and variations in thyroid hormone sensitivity may serve as a key factor underlying the inconsistent associations between thyroid function and CVD. Hence, the present narrative review synthesizes the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity and common CVDs, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. The possible molecular mechanisms of thyroid hormone sensitivity-mediated cardiovascular pathology are also summarized. We found that most studies failed to establish a significant relationship between peripheral, central thyroid hormone sensitivity and hypertension. Further, current studies generally suggest a positive correlation between reduced peripheral thyroid hormone sensitivity and an increased risk of stroke. Similarly, most studies indicate that reduced thyroid hormone sensitivity is associated with an elevated risk of adverse clinical outcomes after CHD.