In the years leading up to menopause (i.e., perimenopause), 45% of women say that they have heart palpitations. After menopause (i.e., at least 12 months since the last period), 54% report palpitations.
Although up to 87% of these women believed that their palpitations required medical care, in most cases, heart palpitations — in any age group — are benign. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Sometimes, palpitations are a warning sign of heart disease.
Our caring and experienced cardiologist, Dr. Ola Akinboboye, encourages you to pay attention to the signals your heart sends you, at any age. At our office in Rosedale, Queens, New York, we help you understand your heart’s health, give you ways to improve it — and, if appropriate, provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.
So, what’s normal and what’s cause for concern if you have palpitations peri- or post-menopausally? See below for a simple guideline.
Palpitations are a common type of arrhythmia, in which your heart doesn’t beat at a normal, steady rate for seconds at a time. Heart palpitations can create a number of sensations, including:
Although palpitations are common, and most people experience them, they tend to occur more frequently in the menopausal period. Doctors believe that could be due to hormonal fluctuations during that time. Thyroid hormone, for instance, can trigger palpitations when it’s too high or too low.
A palpitation is usually an early heartbeat, rather than a skipped or doubled beat. They occur when the heart contracts before its ventricles have filled with blood. In other words, the heart beats before it has to. You don’t feel that first contraction. But the one that follows feels extra forceful: the “extra” beat.
Ideally, you should pay attention to any new signal your body sends you, including palpitations. Although they’re common, strictly speaking, they’re abnormal beating patterns.
Most of the time, you can relate benign palpitations to a lifestyle change, including the hormonal dips of menopause. Other habits and circumstances that increase your risk for palpitations include:
If your palpitations are mild and infrequent, try adjusting your lifestyle first. Cut down on caffeine. Take a few stress breaks with deep breathing or meditation. If those don’t help, give us a call.
“Normal” palpitations are brief: a second or two of a flip-flop, or a few seconds of a racing heart. However, if your palpitations last for minutes to hours, you need to undergo a medical evaluation to be sure your heart is healthy or, if it’s not, to get the treatment you need ASAP.
Also, pay attention to other sensations in your body that occur during palpitations. Contact us immediately if your palpitations are accompanied by:
If you feel extreme chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea while having palpitations, call 911 and get to the emergency room. You could be having a heart attack.
Reading a blog can help you understand when to act and when panic is unneeded. But if you’re truly worried about your palpitations, the best course of action is to find out why they’re happening and to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your heart healthy.
If you experience palpitations, the cardiology team at Laurelton Heart Specialists takes a complete medical history, including a symptom list, conducts a physical exam, and runs any tests they deem necessary. These may include an echocardiogram, stress test, and blood work. Depending on your results, they then customize a treatment plan … or give you an all-clear.
Do you want to know for sure whether your palpitations are “normal?” Phone our helpful team at 718-208-4816 or fill out our online outreach form today.
