If you’re experiencing heart palpitations during menopause, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common symptoms of menopause. But what exactly are heart palpitations, and how can you treat them?
Heart palpitations are a feeling of increased or irregular heartbeats. They can be scary, but they’re usually harmless. Other symptoms that can accompany heart palpitations include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and/or sweating.
If you think you’re having a heart attack, call an emergency right away. In this blog post, we’ll explore what heart palpitations are, how to treat them, and some tips to deal with them. So if you’re experiencing heart palpitations during menopause, read on!
What is the link between heart palpitations and menopause?
Heart palpitations are a common symptom of menopause. The reason behind this is a change in the hormone levels in your body, which leads to your heart beating faster or irregularly. Palpitations can be uncomfortable and may make you feel anxious or short of breath.
How to treat this issue?
There are some simple lifestyle changes and treatments that can help to ease the symptoms.
- Firstly, it is important to try to reduce stress levels. This is achievable via regular exercise, relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, and spending time with friends and family.
- If the pattern of your palpitation is severe, there are some medications that can help to control them. Beta-blockers are one of the categories which effectively reduce the frequency and severity of heart palpitations.
- By any chance, if the two mentioned above lifestyle changes and medications do not work to improve symptoms, consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- HRT in menopause is an effective treatment for palpitations, hot flashes, and night sweats.
Most of the time, heart palpitations while women undergo menopause are not a cause for concern. But, if they are severe, frequent, or unmanageable, get in touch with your healthcare provider to manage them.
Tips for dealing with heart palpitations and menopause
Here are a few simple tips to follow that can help minimize the frequency and severity of heart palpitations during menopause.
Usually, the cases are benign and do not in any way indicate a serious underlying problem. However, rarely are they a sign of heart disease or even an electrolyte imbalance.
Your doctor can perform particular tests to rule out any potential underlying causes and help devise a treatment strategy to manage your symptoms.
The most important change, perhaps, is lifestyle management to minimize the frequency of heart palpitations during the menopausal period.
Avoid excessive use of caffeine, alcohol, or any other stimulants. Ensure to properly plan to reduce stress and anxiety levels during the day.
It is often not thought of as important but getting enough sleep is crucial. Fatigue is a usual trigger for heart palpitations.
If, even after making lifestyle modifications, your condition does not get better, ask your cardiologist to prescribe relevant medications to help regulate the heart rate or treat the underlying cause that may be contributing to it.
Other than that, a mix of relaxation techniques or cognitive-behavioral therapy will increasingly help deal with stress and anxiety with heart palpitations.
Final Words
Heart palpitations are fairly common with menopause. It is a good practice to stay up to date with your health conditions. Head to the Atrial Fibrillation Center of America to have a heart-healthy journey.