Glossary · Conditions

Menopausal palpitations

Definition: Heart palpitations — sensations of skipped beats, fluttering, or pounding heart — are a common menopause symptom often associated with hot flashes, anxiety, or sleep disruption. Most are benign, but new palpitations in midlife warrant cardiac evaluation to rule out arrhythmia.

Detailed definition

Palpitations in menopause are typically benign and often coincide with vasomotor episodes (a brief tachycardia accompanying or preceding a hot flash), anxiety/panic, or sleep disruption. The mechanism likely involves estrogen withdrawal effects on autonomic balance and increased sympathetic tone. However, midlife is also when atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, premature atrial or ventricular contractions, and thyroid-related arrhythmias begin to appear. Any new sustained palpitations, palpitations with chest pain or syncope, or palpitations at rest deserve cardiac evaluation — typically EKG and consideration of ambulatory monitoring.

Why it matters in menopause

Reassuring a woman that her menopausal palpitations are benign is appropriate only after ruling out clinically significant arrhythmia and thyroid dysfunction. ClearedRx checks TSH at intake and refers for cardiac evaluation when symptoms warrant.

Sources

External references: Wikipedia.

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