Palpitations and tachycardia during menopause: symptoms and treatment of rapid pulse

During menopause, the female body suffers from a lack of hormones. This factor not only causes unpleasant symptoms of menopause, but can also provoke disruptions in the functioning of important organs. Some women note an irregular heartbeat during menopause, and treatment of tachycardia is necessary during this period. It is worth taking any changes in heart rhythm seriously, because even minor symptoms can mean the onset of a serious illness. In any case, it is useful to know the main signs of tachycardia, rules of behavior during an attack, and methods of supporting the heart. If tachycardia occurs once and stops almost immediately, then there is no need to worry too much. But if the symptoms begin to be permanent, then it is necessary to urgently consult a cardiologist. After all, this type of heart rhythm disorder can be caused by both improper functioning of the nervous system and serious heart disease.

What is tachycardia and why is it dangerous?

Tachycardia is one of the heart rhythm disorders in which the patient experiences a rapid heartbeat of an unstable nature. For example, in normal condition, the heart rate should not exceed 60-80 beats per minute. But women during menopause need to remember that their heart rate is slightly increased (70-100 beats per minute). Physical activity is also taken into account, which can increase these indicators, but only for a certain period of time, after which the number of contractions should return to normal.

There is the concept of “pathological tachycardia,” which is caused by problems with the cardiovascular system or other organs. In addition to increased heartbeat, patients note a lack of air and a feeling of tightness in the chest. A person's attack occurs quickly and suddenly. The number of beats increases to 150-200 per minute. As for the duration, the attack can last either one minute or an hour.

Such manifestations should not be ignored, because tachycardia can provoke the development of acute heart failure, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest.

Palpitations during menopause: what happens in the body?

The heart does not just pump blood, it supplies oxygen to all tissues and organs, working in a certain rhythm of contractions and relaxations. If there is a rhythm failure, then too frequent and rapid contraction of the heart muscle is observed. As a result, the blood does not have time to pump normally and the heart does not have time to rest. A so-called arrhythmia (tachycardia) occurs. This causes a general deterioration in health.

Heart pain of various types is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Symptoms of this condition are:

• The pulse accelerates. It can reach 100-120 beats per minute during calm periods.
• Dizziness occurs, often with loss of orientation, in severe forms - with a pre-fainting state.
• The appearance of causeless panic. A woman is afraid of losing consciousness, falling (especially in a crowded place), or dying.
• Lack of air. There is a feeling that it is impossible to inhale, the lungs cannot be completely filled with oxygen.
• A lack of oxygen in the tissues provokes a feeling of heat throughout the body.
• Feeling the heart rate. In a calm state, the heartbeat is almost imperceptible. During an attack, the vibrations are clearly felt, the woman can accurately indicate where exactly this organ is located.

How do heartbeat problems affect the functioning of the body?

Proper functioning of the heart is the key to the healthy functioning of the entire body. Alternating tension of the heart muscles ensures the influx and outflow of blood, as well as the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to all organs. And at the moment of relaxation, the heart accumulates strength for the normal course of the next contraction. So, between these two the function passes a certain amount of time. If an organ contracts or relaxes too often, then oxygen simply does not have time to spread throughout the body, and the heart itself cannot rest. As a result, a rhythm disturbance occurs, which worsens the overall well-being of a person.

During menopause, tachycardia is most often observed, but other problems cannot be excluded. But all of them negatively affect a woman’s condition, weakening her health and causing various diseases.

Prevention

There is a whole range of preventive measures that make it possible, if not to avoid tachycardia during menopause, then at least to significantly reduce the symptoms of the pathology. They are based on proper nutrition and an active lifestyle.

• A woman is recommended to engage in physical activity, choosing an area that does not require increased stress. Morning or evening jogging, yoga, aerobics, and moderately active sports games, such as badminton, are perfect. Read more about therapeutic exercises for tachycardia here.
• To prevent tachycardia, stuffiness should be avoided. It is especially important to ventilate the room before going to bed. But you should not allow drafts at night, as a weakened body is more at risk of contracting ARVI.
• Stress is contraindicated during menopause. You should not get into conflict situations or participate in quarrels. All this has an extremely negative effect on the heart and can provoke a severe attack. For depression, treatment with a psychotherapist is recommended.
• To avoid unexpected attacks, you should undergo regular examinations and tests: the most important ones include measuring blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

The main causes of tachycardia during menopause

Tachycardia during menopause is a common occurrence. During menopause, hormonal balance is destabilized. The body no longer produces enough sex hormones, which are related to the work of the heart as follows:

1. Blood. During menopause, the composition of the blood changes. The amount of sodium ions in the lymph increases, so fluid is retained. As a result, blood volume and its viscosity increase, because a lack of estrogen provokes an increase in cholesterol. And it’s already much harder for the heart to work.
2. Vessels. A significant role is played by the conductivity of blood vessels, which decreases due to loss of elasticity of the walls. Deposits begin to accumulate on them, and blood pressure on the vessels increases.
3. Emotional instability. In women, the emotional background changes sharply, negative moods intensify, and irritability arises. An increase in negative emotions always affects the rhythm of contractions of the heart muscle.
4. Excess weight. An increase in fat deposits interferes with the efficient functioning of blood vessels and creates additional stress on the heart.

If you do not deal with the symptoms of menopause, then treatment of tachycardia will be ineffective. Therefore, it is worth providing hormonal support to the body and undergoing a full examination.

Manifestations

In addition to heart pain, there are other symptoms in women during menopause. A decrease in the production of sex hormones can provoke sympathoadrenal or vagoinsular crises. The characteristic features of the former are:

• tachycardia;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• increased blood pressure;
• feeling of chills (possible hyperthermia);
• coldness and numbness of the hands and feet;
• pale skin;
• restlessness in movements.

Signs of a vagoinsular crisis, in which the tone of the parasympathetic system sharply increases, include:

• decreased blood pressure;
• constriction of the pupils;
• slow heart rate;
• intense secretion of saliva, bile, enzymes and gastric juice;
• a drop in blood glucose concentration (due to the active release of insulin);
• reduction of bronchial lumen.

Symptoms of vagoinsular crisis are weakness, fainting and dizziness, hypotension, difficulty breathing, urge to defecate and pain in the lower intestines. Patients complain of hot flashes, irregular heartbeat, severe throbbing headache, sudden attacks of appetite and hand tremors.

In men, menopause is manifested by similar autonomic disorders: emotional instability, hot flashes, dizziness, and pressure changes. Pain syndromes (cardialgia, pulsation in the head, joint pain) occur relatively infrequently. Menopausal cardialgia varies in duration. In many patients it lasts from 1-2 hours to several days, alternately intensifying and weakening. As a rule, the occurrence is not associated with physical and emotional stress.

A common occurrence among patients in menopause is extrasystole - untimely excitation and contraction of all or some chambers of the heart. This type of arrhythmia is manifested by the following symptoms:

• heat;
• sense of anxiety;
• tachycardia;
• feeling of lack of oxygen;
• sweating;
• sudden changes in mood and activity.

Extrasystole can reduce the productivity of the heart by a quarter, which directly affects the nutrition of all internal organs, including the heart muscle itself, the brain and the kidneys.

Patients suffering from atherosclerosis during menopause are much more likely to experience dizziness. The reason for this is a violation of cerebral circulation.

Symptoms of tachycardia during menopause

First, you need to find out the features of the symptoms of tachycardia during menopause:

• increased heart rate, which can be felt in the temples or veins;
• sometimes dizziness or loss of balance occurs;
• feeling of fear, panic attack;
• the woman begins to clearly feel how and where her heart beats;
• feeling of lack of air;
• feeling of intense heat in the upper body;
• limbs tremble.

In each individual case, the signs of tachycardia manifest themselves differently. It all depends on the characteristics of the body and the presence of other diseases. But under any conditions, you must try to remain calm so as not to aggravate the attack.

How to behave during an attack?

First you need to calm down, which is why they take various sedatives. In addition, the patient’s peace must not be disturbed. If the attack recurs again, you must do the following:

1. Inhale the air deeply, after which you need to hold your breath, as if returning the air flow to the very bottom of the lungs.
2. Press firmly on your eyeballs, being careful, continuing for several minutes with a 10-second break between exercises.
3. You can normalize your pulse by using very cold water by immersing your face in it for a few seconds.
4. At the very beginning of the attack, try to cough hard. In some cases, inducing vomiting helps.
5. To stop tachycardia, you can try alternating deep breaths with quick exhalations, continuing to repeat the steps for 5-10 minutes.
6. Among the medications, Corvalol and Valocordin help well.

When should you call a doctor?

In difficult situations, the above measures may be useless. If your heart rate and blood pressure do not return to normal, you should quickly seek emergency medical help. In this case, the symptoms appear as follows:

• pain in the chest area;
• a person loses consciousness;
• severe shortness of breath and constant dizziness;
• very strong decrease in blood pressure;
• causeless occurrence of an attack.

To stop the tachycardia, the patient is given lidocaine and drugs to stabilize blood pressure. In some cases, hospitalization followed by a comprehensive examination may be necessary.

General recommendations for heart support during menopause

You cannot simply endure attacks, hoping that they are not permanent. After all, this problem not only worsens general well-being, but can also cause:

• stroke,
• heart attack,
• angina pectoris
• arterial hypertension,
• ischemia.

Untimely treatment of irregular rhythm during menopause can also cause symptoms of heart failure in women. But it all starts not with taking medications, but with maintaining a healthy lifestyle during menopause:

1. Balanced diet. The diet should contain a healthy variety of foods. It is important to consume animal fats and enough protein. It is very healthy to eat vegetables, fish, seafood, nuts and fruits.
2. Physical activity. Women during menopause should not be overly burdened, but they need to move, not forgetting about rest. You can do slow jogging or fitness, but without heavy loads
3. Fresh air. If a woman avoids stuffiness, this will not only have a positive effect on hot flashes, but will also not harm the heart. It is especially necessary to maintain such an environment in the bedroom.
4. Positive mood. You can’t be nervous, trying to be positive. In some cases, it won't hurt to visit a psychotherapist.
5. Taking hormones. Women's health depends very much on hormonal balance, so it is necessary to correct hormonal levels using herbal or synthetic hormones, but under the supervision of a doctor.
6. Vitamin complexes for menopause. The body needs magnesium, potassium and calcium to support cardiovascular and nervous system health.
7. Monitoring indicators. This applies to blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
8. Eliminate negative habits. If a woman smokes or drinks alcohol, the effectiveness of any treatment is reduced. This also applies to coffee and strong tea.

All these rules must be followed long before the onset of menopause. After all, it is always easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later.

Methods for treating tachycardia during menopause

Tachycardia that develops during menopause requires special attention and timely treatment.

It is important not only to eliminate all symptoms, but also to minimize the risk of complications. Only a specialist can determine a treatment regimen, taking into account the woman’s current condition, her health characteristics and other factors.

In general, the following types of medications are prescribed:

• Sedatives to help minimize symptoms.
• Antioxidant-based drugs aimed at restoring myocardial function, as well as improving the blood circulation process itself.
• Beta blockers, the effect of which is to normalize heart rate and blood pressure.

All of these drugs have their own indications and contraindications, which must be taken into account before prescribing them directly. To achieve the maximum effect of therapy, the doctor may prescribe these drugs in combination with hormonal drugs.

Attacks of tachycardia that were caused by menopause can be reduced through relaxation and relaxation. It is useful to do breathing exercises, yoga and other relaxation techniques during this period.

It is also important to give up bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Instead of strong tea and coffee, it is better to include decoctions of hawthorn and rose hips in your diet.

What medications can be prescribed

Valerian and motherwort can provide first aid during an attack; the actions of these plants are aimed at normalizing the functioning of the nervous system and heart rate. Taking these medicinal plants leads to a decrease in blood pressure, eliminates feelings of fear and anxiety, helps to relax and normalize sleep patterns. They can be taken for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.

Symptoms of menopause can be reduced by taking the active complex “Nervo-Vit”, which combines ascorbic acid and a collection of medicinal herbs that have a sedative effect.

To strengthen the heart and improve its functioning, the doctor may recommend taking Cardioton. These vitamins of natural origin are also prescribed for heart defects and after a heart attack or stroke, since they have a sedative effect, dilate blood vessels and normalize heart rhythm.

To increase tissue stability, reduce sugar, and also to prevent tachycardia, the Dihydroquercetin+ complex can be prescribed. It contains natural antioxidants and vitamins, which together have a beneficial effect on the female body.

During menopause, hormones decrease, so hormone replacement therapy is advisable in this case. Drone brood has proven itself to be a valuable product, which not only restores the amount of hormones, but also generally has a beneficial effect on the entire body.

Tachycardia, which occurs during menopause, can be avoided if you adjust your lifestyle, diet in time and correctly use the knowledge gained about the sources of necessary hormones and vitamins.

Main groups of drugs for the treatment of tachycardia

An abnormal heartbeat during menopause is based not only on eliminating symptoms, but also on preventing possible exacerbations. The list of essential medications includes:

• Sedatives. They help a woman calm down, as well as prevent possible attacks in the future (Valerian, Motherwort).
• Beta blockers. They normalize heart rate, stabilize blood pressure, and also have a positive effect on the contractile function of the heart (Atenolol, Carvedilol, Celiprolol).
• Medicines with antioxidants. Help the body normalize blood circulation and restore the functioning of the myocardium (Preductal or Mexicor).
• Sodium channel blockers. They have a general effect on the functioning of the heart, provide effective regulation of coronary blood flow and blood pressure (Ritmonorm, Allapinin).

Causes

This syndrome develops due to disturbances in the functioning of the heart caused by changes in the hormonal background and metabolism of a woman:

• A change in the chemical composition of the blood, which is caused by an excess of sodium salts in the lymph and excess cholesterol. Because of this, the blood becomes more viscous and requires additional effort from the heart to pump it.
• The functioning of the vascular system is influenced by the psycho-emotional factor: hormonal changes provoke attacks of irritability, fear, stress, which increases the heart rate.
• Taking into account hormonal and age-related changes, the vascular walls become more rigid and deposits appear on them, impeding blood flow. Hence – hypertension and tachycardia.
• When the intensity of secretion of sex hormones decreases, the body replaces them with lipids, which are deposited in the form of fat. Excess weight makes it difficult for the heart to function.
• The syndrome occurs against the background of tumor formations in the adrenal glands.

In addition to the main reasons, tachycardia also occurs against the background of a number of related health problems:

• frequent bleeding, especially uterine bleeding;
• diabetes mellitus;
• atrial fibrillation;
• thrombophlebitis;
• atherosclerosis.

What will help you relax and calm down?

It is not at all necessary to immediately take medications to normalize the nervous system. You can calm down and relax using the following techniques:

1. Breathing exercises. Alternating deep breaths and short exhalations, as well as other breathing practices, are especially useful during an attack.
2. Yoga. Great activity option. Yoga during menopause is used to prevent various diseases, including heart problems.
3. Meditation and other relaxation techniques. Lack of hormones provokes an unstable emotional background. And mood swings do not have the best effect on the state of the cardiovascular system.

Effect of HRT on tachycardia

In this matter, only a doctor can determine what caused the tachycardia. And if the cause of its occurrence is a lack of hormones, then hormone replacement therapy is necessary. If a woman is already undergoing HRT, the doctor prescribes new tests and reviews the complex of hormonal drugs. These can be in the form of:

• tablets,
• gels,
• drop,
• plasters,
• candles,
• ointments.

It is also worth noting that HRT can be based on:

1. Combined drugs (Klimonorm, tablets Angelique, Divina, Aktivel, Kliogest).
2. Monotherapeutic agents (Estrofem, Estrogel, Ovestin cream).

You should take these medications only after taking hormone tests as prescribed by your doctor.

Methods of treatment and prevention

As preventive measures aimed at preventing the formation and development of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, it is necessary to use hormone-containing drugs, the main component of which is estrogen. If there is a deficiency of estrogen in the female body, estrogen-containing medications can be prescribed at any age. Timely intake of such drugs will help prevent the formation of stroke and myocardial infarction. Among the most effective hormone-containing drugs are:

• Proginova;
• Femoston;
• Angelique;
• Divina;
• Klimara.

If a woman has contraindications to the use of hormone replacement therapy, then alternative options are considered. Among them, the most effective means are herbal preparations that contain phytoestrogens.

Herbal preparations are not as effective as hormone-containing drugs, but their clear advantage is that they have virtually no contraindications and have a milder effect on the female body.

Of great importance for prevention purposes is changing your usual lifestyle, which consists of the following:

• elimination of smoking addiction;
• dietary adjustments;
• organization of proper nutrition, which should be fractional, containing small portions;
• a healthy lifestyle with regular walks in the fresh air and exercise.

During menopause, it is very important to pay more attention to blood pressure.

In case of pathological changes, antihypertensive drugs may be prescribed.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of tachycardia

To combat tachycardia, it is worth choosing medicinal herbs that not only soothe, but also help fight the symptoms of menopause. In this case, you will not only eliminate the lack of nutrients in the body, but also keep your heart normal. Among the medicinal herbs it is worth highlighting:

• valerian,
• St. John's wort,
• rosemary,
• sagebrush,
• sage,
• hawthorn,
• motherwort.

You can prepare tinctures yourself or buy ready-made products at the pharmacy, which include the listed herbs.

Tachycardia requires timely treatment so that this disorder does not develop into more serious diseases. Women during menopause are often concerned about heart problems, so you need to choose the right HRT, lead a healthy lifestyle and visit a doctor on time to prevent negative consequences in the body.

Folk remedies to help

Treatment of palpitations during menopause is carried out using natural drugs. They are used in the form of tinctures and tablets. Sage is the most effective. The herb is able to effectively cope with the manifestations of negative symptoms of menopause, this is due to the presence of estrogen-like components in it.

To prepare the infusion, pour 2 teaspoons into a glass of boiling water. It is recommended to take it three times a day, 200 ml. The course of treatment is 30 days. Then you should take a break for 1 month.

Medicinal herbal teas have beneficial properties for women during menopause. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system and are able to normalize heart rhythm. Calendula, licorice, anise and violet are used to prepare the infusion. All components are taken in equal proportions. 2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials are poured with 500 ml of water. Leave for 3 hours. It is recommended to drink 100 ml three times a day.