Marie-Noelle Langan, MD Show Heart Palpitations in Women: Is It 'Just Anxiety,' or Something More? Do you ever feel like your heart has skipped a beat or is pounding, racing, or doing flip-flops? Most of the time these sensations, called heart palpitations, are harmless and merely bothersome, but sometimes they can signal a serious, possibly life-threatening arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). Women -- who are at higher risk than men for certain dangerous arrhythmias, and subsequent stroke in some cases -- are often told that their palpitations are "just due to anxiety." But even though they can be triggered by anxiety, it is important for doctors to rule out any dangerous arrhythmias before dismissing the palpitations as only the result of worrying. Her Heart Palpitations Unfortunately, heart palpitations are extremely common. They differ from one person to the next and can vary with a woman's age and hormone levels.
In addition, some medications, such as certain antibiotics and asthma drugs, can trigger heart palpitations. This can be particularly problematic for women who are predisposed to a type of rare but deadly heart rhythm disorder called long QT syndrome. Recording Symptoms Is Key to Diagnosis One of the problems with heart palpitations is that, like a squeaky car that neglects to make noise while in the repair shop, they are often intermittent and will not necessarily be present at the doctor's office. If that is the case, it will help if you can describe in detail what the palpitations feel like. Your doctor should also refer you to a cardiologist, who can easily outfit you with a small device that will monitor and record your heart's rhythm over several hours or days as you go about your daily activities. With today's technology, there is no reason to refrain from recording symptoms of heart palpitations to help tease out whether they are due to a dangerous heart rhythm requiring treatment, or are merely annoying but safe. If you are having prolonged heart palpitations, call your doctor's office and tell them you are currently experiencing palpitations and want to come in right away for an electrocardiogram, or EKG, a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart. If you are still having the palpitations when you get to the doctor's office, an EKG can definitively show whether or not the cause is atrial fibrillation, the most common dangerous, yet easily treatable arrhythmia. If you have heart palpitations along with any of the following, see your doctor immediately to expedite diagnosis and treatment:
Treating Heart Palpitations The good news is that there is a variety of ways to address and treat heart palpitations, including those caused by the most dangerous arrhythmias.
Many times, medically harmless palpitations will eventually go away on their own without treatment. Palpitations brought on by menopause, for instance, will often disappear when menopause is over. And palpitations precipitated by worry may go away once your doctor has confirmed through recording or testing that they are not the dangerous type. In addition, the following lifestyle changes can help you prevent or lessen the frequency of palpitations:
If you have heart palpitations, odds are you have nothing to worry about. But don't leave it to chance: if your doctor tells you, "Don't worry, it's nothing," insist that he or she prove it by monitoring and recording your palpitations to rule out any dangerous arrhythmias. Is it normal to have heart palpitations during your period?Palpitations occur frequently in women at all ages, especially during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and during the perimenopausal period.
How can I stop PMS palpitations?They often do not need to be treated. Avoiding things that can trigger palpitations, such as stress, smoking, caffeine and alcohol, can help. You may have an electrocardiogram (ECG) to help find out what the cause might be.
How can I stop hormonal palpitations naturally?Ways to stop heart palpitations. Overview.. Relaxation techniques.. Stimulants.. Vagus nerve.. Balancing electrolytes.. Hydration.. Alcohol.. Exercise.. |