1.

Evaluate how various aspects of thyroid function may affect cardiac function and the
theory behind such actions.

The function of thyroid can affect and influence every heart’s structure and
function such as heartbeat’s speed and force. Even the amount of hormones produced and
secreted by thyroid have direct and major effects on cardiovascular functions and are
mediated by triiodothyronine (T3) which means that if there’s too much or too little
production of crucial hormones, it may cause heart disease or worsen the existing heart
problems. If there’s an insufficient hormone, all body systems slow down especially the
heart rate and may also contribute to systolic and diastolic dysfunction. It can cause
weight gain as well. And if there’s too much hormone, it will promote rapid or irregular
heart rate and can also cause weight loss unintentionally since it accelerates the
metabolism of the body.
Therefore, if thyroid is functioning properly, then heart problems and heart
diseases will be prevented and if thyroid functions are out of balance, then heart problems
and heart diseases will be promoted.

2. Recognize the physiology and pathophysiology of adrenal disorders as well as the

hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis disturbances resulting in the over-activity or the
under-activity of the adrenal in Cushing’s and Addison’s.

Adrenal disorders involve insufficient or too much production and release of

hormones. The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is the system of central stress
response which functions in a straight-forward manner and is a complex set of
interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands.
Hypothalamus produces hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland, and pituitary gland
releases hormones that stimulate the adrenal glands. Hypothalamus responds to basal
neural input and follows circadian rhythm. As a result of stress, it will increase the
production and secretion of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). If the pituitary
gland, an endocrine system organ, secretes too much adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH), it will result into Cushing disease. And since ACTH encourages production and
secretion of cortisol, therefore, too much ACTH will cause the adrenal gland to respond
by producing too much cortisol. On the other hand, insufficient or low levels of cortisol
or aldosterone by adrenal glands will result into Addison’s disease which also may be due
to pituitary gland releasing inadequate ACTH.
REFERENCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4318631

https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/26/5/704/2355198

http://scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0066-782X2006001600033&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109718333795

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4215264

https://www.intergrativepro.com/Resources/Integrative-Blog/2016/The-HPA-Axis

https://pituitary.org/knowledge-base/disorders/adrenal-insufficiency-addison-s-disease

https://www.froedtert.com/endocrinology/adrenal-gland-disorders

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/adrenal-gland-
disorders/overview-of-the-adrenal-glands

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis