Flutters without increased heart rate

I've been waking almost every morning with what I would call flutters, not palpitations because my pulse is not increased.(Am I correct) I am on Zanax for anxiety. (My mom has ALS & my husband is a Quadraplegic) Does menopause increase anxiety which causes "flutters". Is there any danger? Thank You.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. Flutters are a common part of menopause, occuring in up to half of women.  They are not dangerous and do not represent heart disease.  Estrogen treatment typically makes the flutters stop. Flutters can also make a person feel anxious due to the rapid heart beat.  You have a lot of responsibilities with a husband who is a quadraplegic and your mother having ALS.  It is understandable that having the flutters could make you feel more anxious and even make a small amount of anxiety feel like a higher level of anxiety.  

Talk with your doctor.  If estrogen is a reasonable treatment, you might want to consider starting it. You should notice a difference within one to two weeks. Occasionally, flutters can also represent an abnormal heart rhythm.  For that reason, your doctor might want to do an EKG or other monitoring of your heart just to be safe.

Machelle Seibel, MD

[Fluttergirl]

What is there isn't a rapid heartbeat with the flutters, just a strong pounding heartbeat (72 beats per minute)? Thanks