Symptom 6: Rapid Heart Rate – A Disturbing Development
Next, we’ll delve into the symptom of rapid heart rate, or tachycardia, that can occur in acute infectious thyroiditis. Tachycardia is a term used to describe a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate. For adults, this would be a heart rate over 100 beats per minute. In the case of acute infectious thyroiditis, this increased heart rate results from the thyroid gland’s overactivity due to the infection.
You may question how an infection in the thyroid gland could lead to heart-related symptoms. The thyroid gland, though small, has wide-ranging impacts on our bodies. It produces thyroid hormones which are crucial regulators of our metabolism, including our heart rate. In the presence of an infection, these hormones may be released in excess, causing the heart to beat more rapidly than usual.
This rapid heart rate might be constant or occur in bouts, often increasing with physical activity or periods of stress. The sensation is frequently described as the heart racing, pounding, or fluttering, known medically as palpitations. For some, this may be accompanied by feelings of anxiety or restlessness, exacerbating the discomfort. (6)
