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heart palpitations and the menstrual cycle

hello im 27 yrs old and suffer from heart palpitations, i wondered if these can be linked to the menstrul cycle
as i tend to get them mostly around this time and only occasionally inbetween its quite scary as i have to breath deep to get my breath, i have not been to my local gp about this yet as im afraid of what he will say.


This discussion is related to Heart Palpitations.
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Hello everyone I am new here.  I feel like crying right now after reading all your posts.  You all have great insight to what I am going through.  I agree with many many things you have said.  I went to see a heart specialist and told her my palpitations seemed to be worse around my menstrual cycle and she said "no" that couldn't be causing them.  Talking about confusion and feeling like the doc's think you are crazy or looking for attention.  I've a holter monitor, ECG done so far all came back fine.  I had a terrible bout this past 2 weeks and HONESTLY thought I would have a heart attack.  Maybe this is due to anxiety which I also suffer from but I question why in the past 3 years have they come on so strong.  Maybe because I am pushing 50, gets worse with age.  I'm soooo happy I have found this website.  Can't believe I did not sooner.  Hugs back.
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Woow it is so good to hear that I am not alone, really - doc. just tell you (not directly but..." you are depressed, anxious,.. in short "crazy" and no one is helping .... hope we will find a way to settle this one day. I noticed that taking B complex and magnesium helps me - problems are still here but not so intensive. Hugs to all
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Avatar universal
I love you all and thank God I found this post! My story is really no different than many here, though it sounds like there are different kinds of palpitations. Some palpitations occur on the top part of your heart (atrium) and some occur on the bottom part (ventrical).

When they occur on the top part they are called PACs (premature atrial contractions) and they can cause your heart to beat very rapidly. When you feel these flutters take your heart rate. If it is beating rapidly (maybe over 100?) seek medical attention right away.

When they occur on the bottom part they are called PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) and these are less scary to doctors and they usually say 'nothing is wrong'. With these your heart may feel like it is racing but it is not. It may kinda feel like it skips a beat.

I get PVCs and my dad has had lots of trouble with PACs. The last time I had big trouble with the PVCs I had no idea what was going on. I had been to doctors multiple times who told me nothing was wrong. So when I was having some bad ones and significant chest tightening I DROVE MYSELF TO THE ER! I didn't want to go because I was afraid I would be seen as wasting their time. But it was the best doctor's visit I've ever had. At the ER they whisked me back, gave me aspirin and hooked me up to machines and IVs. The cardiac tech then said, sit real still so we can see what is going on. The whole room stopped and stared at the monitor. I could see they were seeing something. After about 30seconds I said ' I've had 5 since you told me to be still.' The tech looked at me and said: 'you can feel those? Yes you had 5 in that time.' Then the look of relief on everyone's face was glorious. They got me settled, ordered a chest xray, but insisted I lay in the quiet room for a while and the doctor would be in after a bit. Their immediate calming put me at ease and my palpitations frequency decreased. The doctor came in and explained to me that 20% of the population will have PVCs often, they just don't notice them. She also suggested I try heartburn medication. The heart lays next to the esophagus and when there is any irritation (even if you don't feel the burn) your heart may react.

I started daily heartburn treatment and it has helped. When I have a particularly nasty spell I down Pepto like it's water, but it helps.

My story is the same as everyone else's: heart flutters that started in early 20s, went away when I was pregnant, heart flutters most often and strongest right before and during my period, seem to be getting worse as I get older, related to escalated anxiety, feeling of tightness in chest, needing to take a deep breath to regulate my heart, also seem to be related to being sick with colds or flu and gastrointestinal irritation, all of the above. A few things I didn't realize until tonight were that the dizziness, lightheadedness, tingling sensations (I get in hands lips and nose) are all also related. I also didn't know that these are all also symptoms of PMDD. (severe form of PMS). Often treated with anxiety meds. I don't feel it really is caused by anxiety as most here don't seemed convinced either. Once again women are being patted on the head saying ' you're just hysterical dear.' No more.

I am calling my doctor tomorrow to get this under better control. I believe the heartburn theory (hence why some women notice it more when they have had sugar or processed foods!) but I also feel as EmilyKM said that there is a hormonal and possible vitamin deficiency  to this problem.

I am printing out each and every one of these posts and taking this to my doctor's visit. If enough women complain, the drug makers will realize there is profit to this and they will study it; really the only way diseases get studied :( But I am empowered by this post. I am no longer keeping silent by fear! We are not crazy hysterical women, we have a real problem and a valid concern. I will continue to bother my doctors. We can get this under control!

Thank you all, I have never felt better about my condition.
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sounds like all my sympthoms...im 42...haven't been diagnosed with anything just asthma and anxiety, depression
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I started having palpitations in 2012 and was told anxiety and depression. I didn't agree but that's what the docs said. I have been to ER countless times and I am so glad I found this board. I noticed now that it all starts a week before and the week of my cycle. I am 43 years old and I have had EKGs, heart ultrasounds, stress tests and everything normal. Stress and depression they say. So happy to have you ladies to share.
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Avatar universal
Story after story, each seemed so similar to what im currently dealing with!! I thought i was going crazy too.. Anyways, i've always had these weird heart palpitations for several years now. I usually feel these when i lay down to go to bed. They can get pretty scary and keeps me up all night. I always read or hear that heart palps are not life threatening, but it definitely doesn't feel like it when i actually going through it.  I've done a heart checkup and resulted that i didn't have anything. Now i'm 20 and in college where stress levels can get pretty serious and thats when anxiety comes in and goes ballistic on me. Anxiety + heart palpitations is a recipe to the most scariest experience ever.  Forever sleepless~

I'm noticing that most of these posts claim that heart palps are mostly felt before/during periods. For me its random.. But i guess they are stronger felt closer to when my period will start. Just recently i noticed(1 month ago) my periods are super light and last like 2 days.. And i'm left wondering.. whats next!? So thats how i ended up to this wonderful blog site.

I plan to see a doctor soon to talk about it and see where to go from there. Hopefully they dont test me with the heart monitoring machine. Chances are i will have nothing.

I am trying to stay optimistic and open to any ideas or suggestions as to what this issue could be. Very thankful to know i am not alone!!
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