Horm Metab Res 2020; 52(12): 850-855
DOI: 10.1055/a-1232-7292
Endocrine Care

Associations of Thyroid Hormones and Resting Heart Rate in Patients Referred to Coronary Angiography

Eva Steinberger
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Stefan Pilz
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Christian Trummer
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Verena Theiler-Schwetz
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Markus Reichhartinger
2   Institute of Automation and Control, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
,
Thomas Benninger
2   Institute of Automation and Control, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
,
Marlene Pandis
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Oliver Malle
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Martin H. Keppel
3   Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
,
Nicolas Verheyen
4   Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Martin R. Grübler
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Jakob Voelkl
5   Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
6   DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany
7   Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
,
Andreas Meinitzer
8   Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
,
Winfried März
8   Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
9   Synlab Academy, Synlab Holding GmbH, Mannheim, Germany
10   Medical Clinic 5, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Resting heart rate (RHR) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thyroid hormones exert several effects on the cardiovascular system, but the relation between thyroid function and RHR remains to be further established. We evaluated whether measures of thyroid hormone status are associated with RHR in patients referred to coronary angiography. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4), and RHR were determined in 2795 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) Study. Median (25th to 75th percentile) serum concentrations were 1.25 (0.76–1.92) mU/l for TSH, 4.8 (4.2–5.3) pmol/l for FT3 and 17.1 (15.4-19.0) pmol/l for FT4, and mean (±standard deviation) RHR was 68.8 (±11.7) beats/min. Comparing the highest versus the lowest quartile, RHR (beats/min) was significantly higher in the fourth FT4 quartile [3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.23–4.73; p <0.001] and in the fourth FT3 quartile (2.30, 95% CI: 1.06–3.55; p <0.001), but there was no significant difference for TSH quartiles. In multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for various potential confounders, FT3 and FT4 were significant predictors of RHR (p <0.001 for both). In subgroups restricted to TSH, FT3, and FT4 values within the reference range, both FT3 and FT4 remained significant predictors of RHR (p <0.001 for all). In conclusion, in patients referred to coronary angiography, FT3 and FT4 but not TSH were positively associated with RHR. The relationship between free thyroid hormones and RHR warrants further investigations regarding its diagnostic and therapeutic implications.



Publication History

Received: 27 April 2020

Accepted after revision: 27 July 2020

Article published online:
04 September 2020

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