Diffuse coronary vasospasm in a patient with hypothyroidism

Abstract

Coronary vasospasm is an important etiology of ischemic heart disease. Sometimes thyroid disorders may be associated with cardiovascular disease. The major cardiovascular changes that occur in hypothyroidism include a decrease in cardiac output and cardiac contractility, a reduction in heart rate, and an increase in peripheral vascular resistance. There are also significant changes in modifiable atherosclerotic risk factors, including hypercholesterolemia, diastolic hypertension, carotid intimal media thickness, and endothelial derived relaxation factor (nitric oxide), which accompany overt hypothyroidism. Here, we present a case of diffuse coronary arterial vasospasm in a patient with hypothyroidism.