Menopause Rapid Heartbeat

One of the most common symptoms of menopause is the sudden onset of rapid heartbeat, fluctuating heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm, such as extra beats. This sensation can be quite alarming, and in fact does sometimes signal a medical problem. Most often, however, it is a harmless result of lowered estrogen levels.

Definition of Menopause Rapid Heartbeat

Tachycardia is the medical term for a rapid or irregular heartbeat. The normal heart rate is approximately 60 to 100 beats per minute. Regular exercise and some medications can bring this down to 50 to 55 beats per minute. A heart rate over 100 can be considered rapid. This is also sometimes referred to as heart palpitations. Extrasystole is the term for extra heartbeats, and arrhythmia means an abnormal heartbeat.

Episodes of irregular or rapid heartbeat can happen at any time, and last from just a few seconds to several minutes. Alarm caused by rapid heartbeat can cause symptoms to feed on each other, as when panic results in shortness of breath or dizziness.

Symptoms of Menopause Rapid Heartbeat

Causes of Menopause Rapid Heartbeat

Estrogen levels have a significant effect on the cardiovascular system. The role that estrogen plays in stimulating the autonomic nervous system is probably most responsible for irregular or rapid heartbeat, since it is the autonomic system that regulates all the “unconscious” functions such as heart rate, breathing and peristalsis. Estrogen also dilates the coronary arteries, so they may become constricted when estrogen levels are low.

Other causes of irregular heartbeat can include both medical conditions such as overactive thyroid, low levels of oxygen in the blood, fever and some medications, or lifestyle factors such as caffeine, nicotine, stress and anxiety.

Menopause Rapid Heartbeat Treatments

The most immediate way to deal with rapid or irregular heartbeat when it occurs is to try to relax. Take deep breaths, practice yoga or meditation, or employ other relaxation techniques. Avoiding stimulants can help, especially caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.

To prevent episodes of tachycardia, the best option is to treat the root cause, which is decreased or fluctuating levels of estrogen. Natural products such as Amberen can help the body produce its own estrogen without the risks associated with conventional hormone replacement therapy.

Menopause Rapid Heartbeat FAQ

Q: How do I measure my heart rate?

A: Place your middle and ring fingers on the artery in your neck, on the opposite side from the hand you are using. Count the number of pulses for 30 seconds and double it.

Risks of Menopause Rapid Heartbeat

While a rapid or irregular heartbeat is a very common symptom of reduced estrogen levels during menopause, it can also be a symptom of more serious conditions such as heart disease. It’s a good idea to have your heart checked by your medical professional if you have other risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Extra heart beats occurring more frequently than six per minute or coming in groups of three or more should also be checked out.