Endocrine-Related Heart Conditions

As the most important muscle in your body, your heart needs to be strong and healthy. But did you know that your hormone imbalances may put your heart health at risk? MultiCare endocrinologists are skilled in treating imbalances that cause heart issues as well as endocrine problems that can increase your risk of heart problems.

How endocrine-related heart conditions develop

Your endocrine system is made up of glands and organs that create hormones and send them into your bloodstream. Sometimes, this process goes haywire, and the endocrine system produces too many hormones or not enough.

Hormone imbalances can contribute to conditions with a wide range of impacts on your heart health. You may develop unhealthy cholesterol levels, which increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, or high or low blood pressure, which is also dangerous. Problems such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes, sometimes caused by hormone imbalances, can also increase your risk of heart disease.

A cardiologist or primary care provider can help you manage unhealthy cholesterol, high blood pressure and chronic conditions, such as diabetes. But when standard treatments are no longer effective in keeping you healthy, you may need the expert care of an endocrinologist.

Treatment for endocrine-related heart conditions

Endocrinologists specialize in the care of hormone imbalances and hormone-related health problems. They also understand the relationship between hormones and your heart. If you have an endocrine disorder, such as diabetes, endocrinologists can help you keep it under control and help you avoid potential heart problems.

If you’re at particularly high risk, medicine may prevent endocrine-related heart disease. Your endocrinologist will work with your cardiologist to limit the damage it does. This may mean changes to your endocrine treatment. Or it could mean taking blood pressure or cholesterol medication or other therapies.