Menopause Palpitations

Menopause is when menstruation permanently ceases in females. It marks the ending of fertility, and it generally occurs a year after the last menstrual period. Menopause can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, disturbances in sleep, vaginal dryness, irritability, more abdominal fat, joint pain, sleeplessness, weight gain, problems with concentration, thinning hair and heart palpitations. Heart palpitations, also known as cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, feel like the heart is pounding in an uncontrollable manner. They are usually caused by the fluctuation of hormones. Symptoms can occur before menopause officially starts and during it.

Reducing Palpitations

• Women can take several measures to decrease these palpitations or to get rid of them entirely, including abstaining from antidepressants, thyroid hormone replacement medicine, weight loss pills and stimulants like caffeine (common in soda, tea and coffee).

Medical Conditions

• Some medical conditions that can lead to menopause palpitations include anemia (a disorder in which the body has insufficient red blood cells), anxiety, thyroid problems, low blood sugar and mitral valve prolapse, which is a heart valve deformity.

Emergency Symptoms

• If you experience menopause palpitations, and they are combined with uncomfortable symptoms--such as sharp pain in the blades of the shoulders, arm numbness, excessive sweating, shortness of breath or chest ache--immediately seek emergency medical assistance. These can be signs of serious chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, that can occur after menopause.

Exercise

• If menopause palpitations intensify when you are physically active or engaging in some type of exercise, stop moving immediately and relax until they cease. Exercise can worsen menopause palpitations.

Identification

• If you are conscious of your heart beating, you are likely experiencing a palpitation, which usually feels like the skipping of a heartbeat or too many heartbeats within a time frame. They are generally sporadic and happen over a period of approximately two to three months. Sometimes, they occur alongside hot flashes.