Heart Palpitations and Racing Heart - Menopause Message Board

Heartfright · 04-12-2001, 04:57 PM

I'm new to this message board and have a few questions and concerns. I am 46 years old and basically going through menopause. I never know if and when I'm getting my period, and when I do they are extremely painful.

Lately I've been having heart palpitations and/or my heart has been racing. I've also experienced waking up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding uncontrollably. I've noticed these symptoms are exceptionally bad right before and during my period (if, in fact, I do have a period). Is this part of menopause? Is this because it's possible that I need hormone therapy?

I'm concerned because the symptoms frighten me to the point I think I'm making them worse. I fixate on what my heart is doing and it seems to make things worse.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cat54 · 04-13-2001, 07:17 AM

Hi! I've been where you are now, and it is scary. I was diagnosed with tachycardia and pvcs which always got worse before and during my period, at times they were almost non-stop. I went on a low-dose birth control pill 2 months ago and it has made all the difference in the world, not only with my heart but with everything else also! I was absolutely miserable--unable to sleep, mood swings like crazy, night sweats to the point where I would have to change sheets, and on and on. I recommend a great book by Elizabeth Vleit, MD, called "Screaming to be Heard: Hormone Connections that Women Suspect and Doctors Still Ignore". It covers the heart (and everything else) extensively. It answered questions that I didn't even think to ask! And it gave me lots of information to knowledgebly talk to my dr. and decide which was the best course of action to take for me. I ordered it from Amazon, it arrived in 2 days and helped save my life and my sanity (and my hubby's!). Take care and if you decide to get it please let me know how you like it. Thinking of you, Cat

melpears · 06-25-2001, 10:39 AM

Dear Cat54: I took your advice and bought and am reading Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's book "Screaming to be Heard". I am quite convinced she's got the answers. But NO doctor I have ever seen or heard of in my area (Chicago--but moving to Albuquerque, NM)is up on this or willing to talk about it. How did you make use of Vliet's theories to help yourself?

melpears · 06-25-2001, 10:41 AM

Dear Cat54: I took your advice and bought and am reading Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's book "Screaming to be Heard". I am quite convinced she's got the answers. But NO doctor I have ever seen or heard of in my area (Chicago--but moving to Albuquerque, NM)is up on this or willing to talk about it. How did you make use of Vliet's theories to help yourself?

Cat54 · 06-30-2001, 05:15 PM

Hi Melpears!

I'm glad you bought the book. I think she knows more than any doctor I've seen! I had trouble finding anyone to listen to me. I went through 2 primary care physicians and finally demanded to be referred to a GYN--which my current physician did. She (the GYN) had heard of the book and after discussing family history, symptoms, etc. we decided on the minipill. All in all, it took me about 2 years to get some relief from this, and I started having symptoms when I was 39 (I'm 46 now). I was so tired of not being listened to (and I had women physicians!), on my last visit I just said that I wanted to see a GYN and I wasn't going to take no for an answer--and I meant it. I sure hope you have better luck than I did. For the life of me, I don't know why doctors won't listen to us more! Especially when I went to women--that still blows my mind. When I switched to a male physician he immediately referred me to a wonderful GYN. Go figure! Best of luck to you and let me know how you fare!

Cat