Heart Palpitations

“Some women who are going through the menopause may be more aware of their heart beating, or might feel as though their heart is racing. These are called palpitations”.1

Umbrella
What may the Heart Palpitations Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abnormal Heart Rhythms
  • Arrhythmia
  • Cardiac (Heart Arrhythmia)
  • Heart Palpitations/Pounding/Racing
  • Heart Rhythms
  • Irregular Heartbeats
  • Palpitations

Definition

What are heart palpitations?

DotS the definition of heart palpitations may vary. The (United States) Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Palpitations are feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, pounding, or beating too hard or too fast”.2

The (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Heart palpitations are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable.

Your heart may feel like it’s pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for just a few seconds or minutes. You may also feel these sensations in your throat or neck”.3

Cause

What may cause heart palpitations?

In Heart Palpitations: Overview the the NHLBI explain:

“Strong emotions, physical activity, some medicines, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or illegal drugs may cause palpitations. Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, low blood sugar, anemia, and low blood pressure also may cause palpitations”.4

Menopause

Heart Palpitations

Is there an association between menopause and heart palpitations?

In Heart Palpitations: Symptoms & Causes – Causes the (United States) Mayo Clinic note one of the common causes is:

  • “Hormone changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause”.5

In Menopause and Heart Disease: Menopause and Heart Palpitations the British Heart Foundation explain:

“Some women who are going through the menopause may be more aware of their heart beating, or might feel as though their heart is racing. These are called palpitations. If you experience them, see your GP. For most women the palpitations are harmless and don’t mean anything is wrong with the heart, but your GP may wish to give you a check-up to be sure”.6

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Look for A PatternHeart Palpitations

How can I look for a pattern with heart palpitations?

The NHLBI explain:

“To prevent palpitations, you can try to avoid things that trigger them, such as stress, alcohol, or caffeine. You also may prevent palpitations by treating any other medical condition that may be causing them”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I have heart palpitations?

If you have heart palpitations it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Heart Palpitations and Ectopic Beats: When To See A GP the NHS note:

“You do not usually need to see a GP if the palpitations pass quickly and only happen occasionally. They’re unlikely to be caused by a serious problem and probably will not need treatment.

But it’s a good idea to see a GP if:

  • The palpitations last a long time, do not improve or get worse
  • You have a history of heart problems
  • You’re concerned about the palpitations”.8

The NHLBI also note:

“Heart palpitations may be a sign or symptom of arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, or other heart conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, heart valve disease, or cardiomyopathy”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Heart Palpitations?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Heart Palpitations?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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  1. About Arrhythmia
  2. Arrhythmia
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  5. Arrhythmia
  6. Atrial Fibrillation
  7. Atrial Fibrillation
  8. Atrial Fibrillation [Video Interview Stories]
  9. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  10. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  11. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
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  16. Heart Rhythm Disorders: Mayo Clinic Healthcare Expert Shares 5 Things It’s Important To Know
  17. Infographic: Cardiac Ablation
  18. Infographic: Living With Atrial Fibrillation
  19. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  20. Mayo Clinic Minute: Managing Atrial Fibrillation [+ Video]
  21. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  22. Menopause and Heart Disease
  23. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  24. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  25. My Life Check | Life’s Simple 7 Heart Palpitations
  26. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease: What You Need To Know
  27. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Coenzyme Q10
  28. Palpitations
  29. Stress and Heart Health
  30. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
  31. Symptom Checker: Heart Palpitations In Adults
  32. Tachycardia
  33. Tachycardia | Fast Heart Rate
  34. Ventricular Fibrillation
  35. Video Series-2020 – What Women Need To Know About Heart Disease
  36. Video Series-2021 – What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Death in Women
  37. What Is A Heart Arrhythmia?
  38. What Is An Arrhythmia?
  39. What Is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) or AF?
  40. What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
  41. What Is Sick Sinus Syndrome?
  42. Women Take Charge of Their Health
  43. Women With A Heart Condition
  44. Women’s Wellness: 6 Things Every Woman Should Know About Heart Disease

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause and Heart Disease: Menopause and Heart Palpitations. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/women-with-a-heart-condition/menopause-and-heart-disease Accessed: 17 August 2021
  2. Heart Palpitations. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-palpitations Accessed: 17 August 2021
  3. Heart Palpitations and Ectopic Beats. Page Last Reviewed: 24 October 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-palpitations/ Accessed: 17 August 2021
  4. Heart Palpitations: Overview. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-palpitations Accessed: 17 August 2021
  5. Heart Palpitations: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 16 April 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-palpitations/symptoms-causes/syc-20373196 Accessed: 17 August 2021
  6. Menopause and Heart Disease: Menopause and Heart Palpitations. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/women-with-a-heart-condition/menopause-and-heart-disease Accessed: 17 August 2021
  7. Heart Palpitations: Overview. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-palpitations Accessed: 17 August 2021
  8. Heart Palpitations and Ectopic Beats: When To See A GP. Page Last Reviewed: 24 October 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-palpitations/#when-to-see-your-gp Accessed: 17 August 2021
  9. Heart Palpitations: Overview. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-palpitations Accessed: 17 August 2021

Topic Last Updated: 22 September 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 17 August 2021
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