The long term plan seeks to address Cardio Vascualr Disease. It doesnt mention thyroid disease as a risk factor for CVD. However, the plan does note Atrial Fibrillation as a risk factor for CVD. Most Endos are concerned that either low TSH or high T4/T3 cause AF. The evidence suggests to me that properly treated thyroid conditions will prevent AF and CVD.
3.66. Heart and circulatory disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK115 and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas. This is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years. CVD is largely preventable, through lifestyle changes and a combination of public health and NHS action on smoking and tobacco addiction, obesity, tackling alcohol misuse and food reformulation. Chapter Two sets out more detail. Eating too much salt remains a leading cause of raised blood pressure, leading to thousands of heart attacks, strokes and early deaths. Reducing salt in foods by 1 gram/day, for example, could prevent 1,500 premature deaths each year and save the NHS over £140 million annually. The government has been clear that salt intake needs to reduce. Some – but insufficient – progress has been made with the voluntary salt reduction programme. The government has agreed to set out by Easter 2019 the details of how the programme's targets will be met.
3.67. Early detection and treatment of CVD can help patients live longer, healthier lives. Too many people are still living with undetected, high-risk conditions such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Other countries have made more progress on identification and diagnosis working towards people routinely knowing their ‘ABC’ (AF, Blood pressure and Cholesterol). Replicating this approach will be increasingly possible with digital technology, and major progress could be achieved working with the voluntary sector, employers, the public sector and NHS staff themselves.
3.70. People with heart failure and heart valve disease will be better supported by multi-disciplinary teams as part of primary care networks. 80% of heart failure is currently diagnosed in hospital, despite 40% of patients having symptoms that should have triggered an earlier assessment118. When admitted to hospital, we will improve rapid access to heart failure nurses so that more patients with heart failure, who are not on a cardiology ward, will receive specialist care and advice119. Better, personalised planning for patients will reduce nights spent in hospital and reduce drug spend. Greater access to echocardiography in primary care will improve the investigation of those with breathlessness, and the early detection of heart failure and valve disease.
How can I persuade the Endo. not to take me off T3?
GP visit was unsettling
