Definition
Heart stumbling is the term used to describe extra beats of the heart that occur outside the normal heart rhythm. In technical jargon, they are called extrasystoles. They often occur in young, heart-healthy people, but triggers or causes are not always to be found. However, certain thyroid diseases can promote the (increased) occurrence of heart stumbles. If the thyroid disease is treated, the extrasystoles often disappear.
The causes
Heart stumbling, which is caused by a thyroid disease, is almost always an overactive thyroid gland. An overactive thyroid can have various causes. One of the most common is an autoimmune disease called Graves’ disease.
In this disease, antibodies are produced that dock to thyroid receptors and stimulate thyroid hormone production. An autonomy of the thyroid gland, i.e. a kind of decoupling of individual thyroid areas from normal regulation, can also lead to hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, thyroid inflammation or other autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to temporary hyperactivity of the thyroid gland with increased thyroid hormone production.
If the thyroid gland is overactive, this can be the cause of heart failure. As already mentioned above, various diseases can trigger overactivity of the thyroid gland. If an increased production of thyroid hormones occurs in the context of hyperthyroidism, this has various effects on the body.
Basically, one can say that thyroid hormones activate the body. If the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, this results in a kind of permanent overactivation of the body. This can manifest itself, among other things, in various cardiac dysrhythmias, including heart palpitations.
If the thyroid is underactive, the thyroid gland produces too few thyroid hormones. This can lead to various symptoms such as weight gain, increased sensation of cold or hair loss. Heart stuttering is not a typical symptom of an underactive thyroid gland.
Other accompanying symptoms
If the heart stumbling occurs in the context of hyperthyroidism, there may be other accompanying symptoms. An excess of thyroid hormones causes a kind of overactivity of the body. Therefore, in addition to heart stumbling and other types of cardiac arrhythmia, there are symptoms such as restlessness, nervousness, mood swings, trembling, sweating, sleep disorders, weight loss despite increased appetite, palpitations and high blood pressure.
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