| This disease, which is the result of an overactive | | | | and loss of weight. The patient may sweat profusely |
| thyroid, is a less common form of chronic heart | | | | and always feel warm. Sometimes there are heart |
| disease. The thyroid secretes an excess amount of | | | | palpitations. The pulse is usually very rapid, even at |
| hormone and causes other organs and tissues of the | | | | rest, or else it irregular. Blood pressure may or may not |
| body to speed up beyond their normal pace. The heart | | | | be higher than normal, but the heart is enlarged |
| attempts to keep up with the demands placed on it | | | | because of the heavier demands made on it. Usually |
| and pump faster. The result is a change in the normal | | | | there is some shortness of breath and swelling of the |
| rhythm of the heart beat, and ultimately congestive | | | | feet. |
| heart failure. The age of group affected is 35 to 50. | | | | In addition, there are the symptoms of congestive |
| Women are more susceptible than men. | | | | heart failure, such as blue lips and fingernails, swollen |
| Symptoms. Sometimes the overactive thyroid is | | | | neck veins, cough and breathing difficulty, fluid in the |
| overlooked because symptoms of the heart condition | | | | lungs and abdomen. As the condition worsens, it takes |
| are more prominent. There is weakness, nervousness, | | | | less and less exertion to produce these symptoms. |