What Types Of Heart Rhythm Conditions Are More Likely To Affect Women
Some irregular heart rhythms and conditions affecting heart rate are more common in people assigned female at birth, including:
- Atrial tachycardia: An irregularly fast heart rhythm affecting the upper heart chambers .
- Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia : Repeat episodes of a very fast heartbeat.
- Long Q-T syndrome : A disorder in which your heart takes longer than usual to send an electrical signal through your lower heart chambers and recharge.
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome : A condition that causes lightheadedness and a rapid heartbeat when you stand up from a reclined position.
- Pulseless electrical activity arrest: A type of cardiac arrest that occurs when you have a normal electrical signal, but your heart doesnt beat so you have no pulse.
- Right ventricular outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias : A heart rhythm disorder in which the ventricles twitch instead of pump.
- Sick sinus syndrome: A heart rhythm disorder occurring when the sinoatrial node, which sends the electrical signal to start each heartbeat, doesnt work properly.
What Heart Palpitations Feel Like
When you have heart palpitations, your heartbeat feels uncomfortable or unusual. You may feel it in your chest, neck or throat.
Your heartbeat may feel like it is:
- racing or beating very fast
- irregular, with skipped or extra beats
- pounding or thumping
Heart palpitations can last seconds, minutes or longer.
Spiritual And Holistic Options
Heart palpitations often cease as soon as women begin taking progesterone cream or estrogen, stop caffeine, and also normalize their blood sugar and insulin levels through a change of diet. But finding out what your heart is yearning for is also important. A woman I know found that her heart palpitations stopped soon after she asked for a promotion, something she hadnt had the courage to do before. She got the promotion and now finds her work more fulfilling than ever. Her heart no longer has to speak so loudly.
At midlife, all the issues that have been occurring premenstrually and which perhaps had been avoided until now come up and hit us between the eyes rather relentlessly, demanding attention. Though women with palpitations often insist that a thorough examination of their lives hasnt turned up any personal issues bothering them, my experience has been that our bodies speak to us only when we cant seem to hear them any other way. When issues of love, issues of the soul, or issues of a womans unmet passions cry out for attention, they often take the form of heart palpitations. If we are willing to be open to their meaning, we will be giving our hearts a chance to be heard. If we act on what we hear, the symptom often goes away.
Women with this condition may also find it helpful to avoid scary, violent, or emotionally draining news, movies, books, or people.
Also Check: Does Nugenix Have An Estrogen Blocker
Also Check: Best At Home Hormone Test
Menopause And Hormone Levels
Menopause causes changes in the ovaries, reproductive system, and endocrine system. The endocrine system is the network of organs and glands that help hormones talk to each other. It includes the thyroid and adrenal hormones, which can be imbalanced during menopause.
The female reproductive system includes hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that fluctuate and eventually decrease with menopause. These are the hormones needed for fertility or to conceive a baby. Once a woman has reached menopause, she can no longer get pregnant.
When Should You Visit The Doctor
Heart palpitations are often harmless, however, they should not be ignored. If you are experiencing palpitations consult your doctor for a diagnosis purely to provide certainty that in your circumstance they are harmless and feature no abnormalities. This will not only give you peace of mind, but ensure that no medication or further evaluation is required.
This is particularly pertinent if the palpitations are coupled with shortness of breath, dizziness or any discomfort in the chest.
Menopause heart palpitations will increase the heart rate and can often be treated with natural methods such as various lifestyle changes and natural remedies. The following alterations can significantly reduce the occurrence of menopausal heart palpitations:
- Reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet
- Avoiding stimulants like cigarettes and alcohol
- Relaxation techniques like yoga and breathing exercises
Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Melatonin For Kids
Heart Disease Medications And Risk
Many women consider the use of hormone replacement therapy pills to relieve their heart palpitation symptoms. This effective strategy should only be explored in consultation with a medically trained doctor, as it can also increase the risk of stroke or deep vein thrombosis .
It is important to note that for every woman, treatment options will be different, and each should find the appropriate form of relief for their personal situation with the help of medical professionals.
Heart Disease Risk And Menopause
According to the British Heart Foundation , females, in general, have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease before menopause. Afterward, the risk of CHD increases and continues to rise.
A doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy to help relieve unpleasant symptoms in people who experience them.
In the past, it was thought that HRT had the added benefit of helping to protect females against CHD. However, more recent research suggests that this is not so.
Also, the BHF maintains that some forms of HRT may slightly increase the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.
Likewise, the same therapies can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism . This is particularly the case in the first year of taking HRT.
It is important to remember, however, that HRT can be highly effective for relieving menopausal symptoms. Indeed, for most menopausal people, especially those below the age of 60, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, of course. Every person is different, which is why it is important to speak with a doctor about whether HRT is appropriate.
Heart disease risk goes up for everyone as they get older. However, for females, there is a marked increase after menopause. Hence, it is vital to do everything possible to keep the heart healthy.
However, there is more to keeping healthy than just nutrition and maintaining a moderate weight.
Read Also: What Are The Side Effects To Melatonin
What’s Causing Your Heart Palpitations
Women in perimenopause often report episodes of heart palpitations an irregular heartbeat or pounding pulse that may make them feel their heart is going to jump right out of their chest.
The heart palpitations have slowly gone away. The hot flashes have decreased to a manageable level. I am happier, more energetic, and finally sleeping really well.
Kari, customer
Sometimes heart palpitations are accompanied by hot flashes or anxiety, but often not. In many cases the women who suffer these symptoms are understandably worried, and may even be frustrated with the response of their conventional doctor. Heres what we recommend.
Is Hrt The Same As Birth Control
No. Although women who take birth control pills are also taking estrogen and progestin, the effect is not the same. Women who take birth control pills have not been through menopause and need higher levels of hormones to prevent ovulation. HRT is not a high enough strength to stop ovulation.
After menopause, estrogen levels are low and HRT is used at a low dose to restore hormone levels to a more normal level.
Recommended Reading: Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Cause Weight Gain
Other Related Symptoms Of Menopause
Because heart palpitations can make it seem as though your heart is beating faster than usual, skipping a beat or fluttering, it is normal to feel a sense of panic as these palpitations arise. There is no need to worry, and there is plenty of support to ensure that you can manage these changes in your body.
It is also essential that you are aware of the other menopause symptoms, along with heart palpitations, that women experiencing menopause can also experience including
- Hot flushes or sweating
Estrogen Dominance May Cause Arrhythmias
One cause of palpitations may be the rising FSH that accompanies perimenopause, as the body tries hard to stimulate ovulation. The estrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency common to perimenopause probably add to this scenario. In a normal menstrual cycle estrogen begins to rise markedly through the first 14 days of the cycle.
After ovulation, progesterone rises to help prepare the uterus for a potential pregnancy. The progesterone has a calming, relaxing effect and helps in the metabolism of estrogen. But in perimenopause we have more cycles in which we dont ovulate, so the progesterone level stays low, leading to estrogen dominance.
For some women heart palpitations are a major or early symptom of perimenopause and this progesterone deficiency.
Read Also: Do Prenatal Vitamins Have Hormones
Low Estrogen Affects The Blood Vessels
Also, low estrogen can increase your inflammatory response to cholesterol deposits in your blood vessels. This inflammation can constrict blood flow even further and increase the risk for blockages and undue stress on your heart. Low estrogen levels may also cause your heart and blood vessels to become stiffer and less elastic. This can increase your blood pressure, which can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk for stroke, heart disease, and heart failure.
How We Can Help Reduce The Palpitations
- Meet with a Gennev Doctor our menopause specialists can help you understand your symptoms and their impact on your overall health and wellness
- Partner with a Health Coach for actionable solutions and the support you need to get you feeling better
- Vitality the nutrient-packed multi-vitamin supplement that supports mood, energy, stress response, immune health, joint pain, and inflammation
- Magnesium our super-power supplement relieves joint pain, muscle cramps, Restless Leg Syndrome, headaches, depression, fatigue, anxiety and supports better sleep.
- Heart & Brain Premium Omega-3 for Women care for your heart and brain, helps to relieve dry eyes and dry skin
You May Like: Which Is Better Testosterone Gel Or Injections
Can Too Much Progesterone Cause Anxiety
Most people experience isolated incidents of anxiety at some point in their lives. These episodes are usually nothing to worry about, but if they happen frequently, there might be something else going on. Many underlying causes could cause concerning levels of anxiety, but can elevated levels of progesterone be one of the reasons?
Progesterone is the female sex hormone that regulates certain functions in the body. Abnormal levels of this hormone may cause your body to react strangely. These symptoms vary from infertility to mood changes.
Both low and elevated levels of progesterone have the potential to cause anxiety and other conditions. If you have concerns regarding hormonal levels and anxiety, it can help to talk to your doctor. They will know how the next step to take for you to feel better.
The Australian Menopause Centre Can Help
If heart palpitation symptoms or other symptoms of menopause are causing you concern contact our team here at the Australian Menopause Centre today, and our doctor will discuss your symptoms to determine the appropriate treatment options available.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please do not hesitate to contact us on 1300883 405 to book a no obligation free first consultation and discuss your concerns with one of our doctors.
If youâre feeling depressed or anxious and fear you may have menopause depression, donât wait for reaching out for help. Talking to qualified medical practitioners can support you through the struggles of menopause.
Recommended Reading: How To Improve Hormonal Imbalance
What Can Cause Heart Palpitations
Its not uncommon for people to get palpitations during vigorous exercise, explains Martin. Or when theyre feeling anxious or stressed.
Other triggers might include alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, certain medications and recreational drugs.
In addition, palpitations in women might be caused by hormonal fluctuations experienced during periods, pregnancy or during menopause. Some medications, including the asthma inhaler salbutamol, can also lead to palpitations, especially if you take a large amount.
You May Like: Does Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations
Treatment For Heart Palpitations
Treatment for heart palpitations depends on the cause. They often do not need to be treated.
Avoiding things that can trigger palpitations, such as stress, smoking, caffeine and alcohol, can help.
You may have an electrocardiogram to help find out what the cause might be. This is a test where small pads are stuck to your skin to check the electrical signals coming from your heart.
If your palpitations are caused by a heart problem, you may need medicines or a procedure to help correct your heartbeat.
Page last reviewed: 07 June 2022 Next review due: 07 June 2025
Don’t Miss: What Does Testosterone Supplements Do For You
Learn Stress Management Tips
Stress is a major trigger for heart palpitations at any age and phase of life. During menopause, stress is increased not only by the many discomforts that can arise but also by hormonal fluctuations.
This makes stress management vitally important to support heart health. Breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi, massage, guided visualizations and other tools can all help naturally lower stress levels.
How Birth Control Pills Wreck Havoc On Your Feminine Hormones
60 million women in America and Europe take oral contraceptives. In my opinion, this is a tragedy.
Let me explain why.
The birth control pill: one of the biggest threats to your Femininity, your health, your relationship, and your ability to attract the man of your dreams.
It is also probably one of the major causes for any health problem you currently have in your life .
Im also going to tell you that the birth control pill can really mess up your ability to choose the right man.
It can cloud your judgment when it comes to knowing whether you are with the right man, and it can cause relationship breakdown.
Yes, really.
If you dont have the time to digest the information in this article, Im going to simply tell you this:
Start using alternative contraception methods .
Also Check: What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women
Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.
If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.
Causes Of Menopause Heart Palpitations
A person who sometimes feels their heart racing or missing a beat could be undergoing menopause heart palpitations. This is a common symptom of perimenopause.
Perimenopause is the time before menopause. Menopause occurs when a female has not had a period for 12 months. Afterward, these people are said to be in the postmenopause phase.
Heart palpitations are a direct result of lower levels of the hormone estrogen, which leads to an overstimulation of the heart.
Such a drop in hormone production can be linked to an increase in both heart rate and frequency in palpitations, and nonthreatening arrhythmias.
Also Check: How To Reduce Stress Hormones With Food
Not All Menopausal Symptoms Are The Same In Terms Of Risk Or Discomfort
And although no menopause symptom can be considered unimportant, heart palpitations can be particularly concerning as they could possibly signal a more serious underlying health issue. Menopausal palpitations are described as loud, racing, or skipped heart beats, flip-flops, fluttering, or pounding that occurs with or without dizziness or lightheadedness.
Palpitations are not only quite common, but also underdiagnosed and understudied when Ive talked to some of my colleagues about heart palpitations, theyve been a little bit shocked about what we still dont know, says , associate dean of research at Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis and lead author of a study that examines heart palpitations. Its not clear why they happen, we dont know if theyre associated with EKG changes, and we dont know if they increase womens risk for cardiovascular disease, says Dr. Carpenter.
An electrocardiogram or EKG is a test that measures the electrical signals in your heart to check for signs of heart disease.
RELATED: Perimenopause and Menopause: Whats the Difference?
Which Supplements Or Herbs Cause Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are a potential concern with supplements containing green tea, guarana, yerba mate, or kola nut all ingredients that naturally contain caffeine, says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of Consumerlab.com, an independent testing company focused on health and nutrition products in White Plains, New York. Another ingredient of concern is bitter orange, which naturally contains synephrine, which is a stimulant, he adds.
These ingredients are often combined in weight loss supplements some of which include straight caffeine, he says.
Read more:Are Supplements Safe? Heres What You Really Need to Do
Energy drinks, which contain stimulant drugs, including caffeine, may also cause heart palpitations, especially in kids, according to a study in a December 2017 issue of Pediatric Emergency Care. Some 40 percent of teens in the study reported a side effect from energy drinks, including heart palpitations.
In addition to supplements , nicotine in tobacco products, stress, exercise and certain medications can make your heart race, including asthma inhalers, decongestants, blood pressure medications known as beta blockers, drugs that control heart rhythm, thyroid medication and some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Read Also: What Is The Best Testosterone Boosters