Study Links Hypothyroidism to Increased Risk of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

A recent study published in the *International Journal of Cardiology: Heart & Vasculature* has established a significant association between hypothyroidism and an increased risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, the study utilized genetic data from the European Ancestry Cohort to examine the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and PAH risk, revealing that individuals with hypothyroidism have a 49% greater risk of developing PAH (Odds Ratio 1.485; 95% CI, 1.051-2.100; P = .025) compared to those without thyroid dysfunction.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension, characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, can lead to severe cardiovascular complications. The condition is often diagnosed when the mean pulmonary artery pressure exceeds 22 mm Hg, accompanied by symptoms such as dyspnea, syncope, and lower extremity edema. According to Dr. Sarah Johnson, a leading cardiologist from the American Heart Association, “This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring thyroid function in patients who present with symptoms of PAH.”
The research team employed various statistical methods, including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger regression, and weighted median (WM) methods, to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with thyroid dysfunction and PAH. While the IVW method indicated a strong correlation, the MR-Egger and WM methods produced mixed results, suggesting that further investigation is necessary to clarify the causal relationship.
Despite the promising findings, the study is not without limitations. The exclusive use of data from a European population may restrict the applicability of the results to other ethnic groups. Additionally, the researchers acknowledged that they could not fully account for the impact of medications that treat either condition, which may influence thyroid function.
“Thyroid dysfunction often coexists with various autoimmune conditions that can contribute to systemic vascular inflammation,” noted Dr. Alice Wong, an endocrinologist at Stanford University and co-author of the study. This inflammation could potentially exacerbate the development of PAH.
Historical studies have indicated that children with PAH exhibit elevated rates of hypothyroidism, reinforcing the need for further exploration into the underlying mechanisms linking these two conditions. Dr. Michael Chen, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, remarked, “The connection between thyroid dysfunction and PAH is becoming increasingly evident, and our understanding of this relationship could lead to improved management strategies for patients.”
In conclusion, the findings of this study present an important step toward understanding the potential risks associated with thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, in the context of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Continued research is essential to validate these findings and to explore the biological mechanisms that may underpin the observed association. As Dr. Johnson aptly stated, “This study opens new avenues for research and clinical practice in the management of PAH.”
References:
1. Pang G, Wang X, Zhao R, et al. Thyroid dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension: a bidirectional mendelian randomization study. *Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc*. 2025;60:101747. doi:10.1016/j.ijcha.2025.101747
2. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Cleveland Clinic. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12120-hypothyroidism
3. PAH diagnostic criteria. PAH Initiative. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.pahinitiative.com/hcp/pah-overview/diagnosing-pah-criteria
4. Kwiatkowska J, Zuk M, Migdal A, et al. Children and adolescents with pulmonary arterial hypertension: baseline and follow-up data from the Polish registry of pulmonary hypertension (BNP-PL). *J Clin Med*. 2020;9(6):1717. doi:10.3390/jcm9061717
5. Li JH, Safford RE, Aduen JF, Heckman MG, Crook JE, Burger CD. Pulmonary hypertension and thyroid disease. *Chest*. 2007;132(3):793-797. doi:10.1378/chest.07-0366
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