“I experience a rapid heartbeat during my periods. What could be wrong?”
I experience rapid heartbeat just before and during my periods. It comes and goes in phases. What could be the problem?
4 Answers
Mark Rasak
Cardiologist
Changes in hormones can cause rythm issues. Pain with dysmenorrhea can cause fast heart rates. If you are a heavy bleeder then anemia can trigger a reactive tachycardis.
Not necessarily. But if concerned, you can have your heart rate monitored by an event recorder or Ziopatch for 2 weeks around that time, just to make sure there is no abnormal rhythm.
Menstruation is associated with a lot of hormonal changes and these certainly have an effect on the heart. There are also emotional changes during your period that can effect your heart beat. So long as it isn’t excessive, say over 150 beats per minute, you should not worry. However, if you find the palpitations very annoying, see your doctor. You might be able to take a short acting beta blocker like propranolol when you are very symptomatic; but I hope that my reassurance will be sufficient so that you will not need to be medicated for what is a benign condition posing no threat to your health.
Julia G. Ansari
Cardiologist
Most of these are not anything important and can be an extra heartbeat from the top or bottom part of the heart. When you lose volume, the normal response is for the heart rate to go up. If you are very concerned, you can get a halter monitor.
