Irregular Heartbeat / Palpitations (Menopause-Related?)
Heart palpitations – sensations of a fluttering, racing, pounding, or skipped heartbeat – can sometimes occur or increase during menopause. Hormonal fluctuations (especially estrogen changes affecting the nervous system regulating heart rate), increased anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation, or stimulants like caffeine can trigger these sensations. While often benign, new or frequent palpitations should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out underlying heart conditions (like arrhythmias) or other medical issues (like thyroid problems or anemia), especially if accompanied by dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Management Strategies
- Stress management techniques
- Limiting/avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol
- Staying hydrated
- Ensuring adequate sleep
- Avoiding known triggers
- Reassurance if benign
- Beta-blockers or other antiarrhythmic medications if a specific arrhythmia is diagnosed
- Treating underlying conditions (anxiety, thyroid, anemia)
- Essential to rule out serious causes. May involve medical history, physical exam, ECG/EKG, Holter monitor or event monitor (to record heart rhythm over time), echocardiogram (ultrasound of heart), blood tests (thyroid, electrolytes, blood count).
Impact
- Anxiety
- Discomfort
- Fear of heart problems
Diagnostic Considerations
Based on symptom description and medical evaluation. Key is to exclude significant cardiac arrhythmias or structural heart disease.