Palpitations: Perimenopause?
Most (if not all) of the symptoms of perimenopause are caused by the changes or fluctuations in estrogen levels, which naturally occur in a woman's body during this stage. These fluctuations of estrogen usually trigger one thing or another and a symptom of perimenopause is felt as a result of the various chain reactions.
Of the many symptoms, the one that causes the most alarm is palpitations. Though irregular heartbeating is considered “normal” during perimenopause, and is a common symptom, many women (understandably) worry when they feel their heart beating faster or with irregularity. Often, it is mistaken as the beginnings of a heart attack, not that this scenario should be entirely written off as impossible.
What can cause palpitations in perimenopause?
Not all women experience palpitations when they hit perimenopause, and there is no proven cause for palpitations that occur during perimenopause. Usually it is blamed on the diminished levels of estrogen overstimulating the sympathetic autonomic nervous system which can trigger palpitations. However, there are some factors that correlate highly with the occurrence of palpitations in perimenopause. Some of these factors are:
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lack of exercise
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history of anxiety
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caffeine
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abuse of substances like nicotine, diet pills, and cocaine
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stress
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and pre-existing medical conditions like heart arrhythmia, heart disease, low blood oxygen level, and an overactive thyroid, just to name a few.
What do palpitations feel like?
Palpitations occur when the heart beats faster or more forcefully than normal. Its descriptions are different from patient to patient, but many say they suddenly become aware of their own heart beat, and that it is pounding in their chest. They are also aware of a pulse beating in their neck and in some cases their extremities (i.e. arms and legs.)
Sometimes it is awareness that the heart is beating irregularly, not the usual thump-thump everyone is used to. Other symptoms include the feeling that your heart is skipping beats, increased pulse rate, and or rapid beats followed by slower beats. Episodes of these palpitations, also known as tachycardia, can last for as short as a few seconds to as long as several minutes. The episodes can come with a feeling of dizziness, shortness of breath, flushing, and weakness. Often these trigger panic or anxiety in the woman.
What should be done about palpitations?
If you experience palpitations, you should see your doctor. Even if you already have other symptoms of perimenopause, it is always safest to confirm your palpitations as another symptom of perimenopause with a medical professional. This is especially true if you have risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Remember that a pulse that beats over 100 times a minute when the person is at rest is something that you should ask a doctor about. If you count extra beats, notice different beating patterns (like beats that come in clusters), or if other symptoms occur during your palpitations, talk to a healthcare professional immediately. You need to be sure of what is going on with your body. Your healthcare professional can determine what is causing these palpitations, and they will be able to prescribe a treatment plan that will address your problem.
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