Perimenopause and Palpitations

Be Still My Heart - PLEASE!

Palpitations can be terrifying. The good news is that they may simply be a by-product of perimenopause. A very common by-product! However, you must see your doctor to determine the cause of palpitations and to rule out any cardiovascular connection.

The following is from the 4women.gov web site:
"'Extra' heartbeats, also called palpitations, or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) happen when there is irritation in the lower part of the heart's pumping chambers. PVCs interrupt the normal heart rhythm and cause an irregular beat that can feel like a 'missed beat' or a 'flip-flop' in the chest. This can be harmless or it may lead to problems that are more serious.

In some people, caffeinated products (coffee, candy bars), alcohol, and stress can cause palpitations. When a woman is in perimenopause (the time before menopause), changing hormone levels can also cause harmless palpitations."

According to The National Guideline Clearinghouse, in a guideline based on a 2000 consensus opinion of The North American Menopause Society: "Hot flashes can be associated with palpitations and feelings of anxiety. The unsettling feeling that precedes a hot flash can trigger an anxiety (or panic) attack."

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. THE NUMBER ONE KILLER!

Nearly twice as many women die from cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer combined. While it is more likely for men to have heart attacks and strokes, overall, the death rate for women from cardiovascular disease is higher. And once past menopause, a woman's risk for cardiovascular disease increases. And unfortunately, this is sometimes because doctors misdiagnose women's heart attacks as anxiety or panic attacks.

We worry about so many other terrors in the world, but often don't take the simple steps that can protect our heart.

• Inactivity - Exercise 30 minutes 4-7 days a week
  
• Excess body weight - Eat a healthy food plan with plenty of fruits and vegetables
  
• Smoking - CUT IT OUT!
  
• Diabetes Get tested! If positive, take the proper medication and follow theappropriate food plan
  
• Eating saturated fats and foods high in cholesterol - Get the help you need to eat a healthier food plan
  
• Ignorance - Go to the doctor for routine physicals, and regularly monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Take the appropriate action/medication to keep them under control.
  

WARNING! You MUST see a doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms related to your heart, in order to rule out any heart-related problems. There are many ways they can easily and painlessly rule out heart disease.

They can even suit you up with an event monitor, which is essentially a traveling EKG machine. For one month, you carry a small box and attach electrodes to three places on your body. When you are having a palpitation, press a button, and PRESTO, it's recorded! Then, you call the monitoring center 24 hours a day and they will record the recording. Results are sent to your doctor.

While this isn't a solution to the problem, there's a vast sense of relief when you confirm there is not a cardiovascular link with your palpitations.

Note: I was allergic to the gluey material on the electrodes. The company was nice enough to send me hypoallergenic electrodes in their place.

A Personal Experience

"I have had every test possible to rule out heart problems associated with palpitations. They began in 2000 and come and go depending on where I am in my cycle. They are especially pronounced before getting a migraine, which is really frightening.

Recently, I wore an event monitor for a month (well, off and on), which showed no abnormalities. This is one symptom I have just learned to live with ... and sometimes accept. Still, I do occasionally panic during a series of particularly strong palpitations.

But after many visits to the emergency room, and numerous tests, both cardiologists and internists have assured me there is no cardiac relationship to this symptom. Small comfort when you're in the throes of palpitations."

Tips for Relief

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