Irregular heartbeat during pre-menopause

I am wondering if any of you experienced a continual episode of extremely annoying heart arythmia anytime prior to the onset of menopause. I have been having these for about 4 months and no medication has regulated my heart and one drug sent me to the emergency room. I see an electrophysiologist on the 29th.

Within the last week, I was told I have many smaller fibroid tumors in my uterus, the largest being 33cm. I am having irregular periods, aches in abdomen, back ache, very heavy periods about every other month with clots, and pain after any sex. I know it sounds pretty bad and I have been advised by two doctors to have a TAH. My bladder does not empty completely due to interference from one fibroid.

I have read where menopausal women have irregular heartbeat as a symptom but no doctor has told me that. Please let me hear from any of you if you have had this problem with your heart. Premature Ventricular Contractions is the medical term for these heart beats I am having.

I am 50 years old and have just started having some pretty severe nightsweats as of the first of July. Doctor tells me that when menopause begins, the tumors may shrink. So, I am not sure what to do. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I have read many posts and have enjoyed every one.

Thanks,
Brenda

(((Brenda)))
I am not near the natural menopause age (only 24), but I do have heart issues. I had premature atrial contraction, where yours is ventrical, so essentially your heart is contracting before the blood gets there. I can tell you that my cycle did affect my heart rate and blood pressure, and at only two weeks post TAH I have already seen an improvement in both. You can feel palpatations for a variety of reasons, so I hope that you have seen a cardiologist and that they have done an echocardiogram to make sure the ventricals are fine and there are no other problems going on. Your hormones do affect your heart, and after menopause we women are at a much higer risk for heart disease. If they have checked everything else out and not found any other problems, then I would relax. Please remember stress can do a number on our bodies too! I will pray that everything works out for you!

Good idea to see a cardiac specialist. PVC's are sometimes benign causing no side effects. Others are tricky to deal with. I have not had these personally, but used to work on cardiac unit years ago. EPS (ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY) studies are done via heart catheterization to induce irregular heart rhythms in a controllened environment to determine what part of the heart muscle is misfiring. These "alternate pathways" ,as they are sometimes called, can sometimes be lasered to stop the unwanted rhythm. Have you worn a 24hr. heart monitor yet? This is usually done to catch a rhythm on tape. Sounds like you might have had this done if they are able to diagnose with PVC's. Since I no longer work cardiac, my knowledge is rusty, but I hope this helps.

Brenda,
I saw your post and wanted to let you know that yes I had PVC's that the cardiologist said were related to a lack of estrogen. This was when I was 37. (1999)

I was in to see my OB/GYN for my yearly and told her I was having this weird thing where it felt like my heart was skipping a beat or two. It would come more in the evenings and scared me to death! She sent me to a cardiologist and they did a stress test and the diagnosis was "Benign PVC's" and it stated that they "improved with exertion on the stress treadmill." I would definitely have them checked, as there are many reasons you can have them and some like mine were actually an extra beat or two where I thought I was skipping one.

When they tested my hormone levels they found I was very estrogen deficient and the Dr. said that definitely could contribute to the PVC's. Whatever the cause they are very common but should be checked out.

As a side note, it was close to the time I started having horrible night sweats. I don’t know if that had anything to do with the PVC’s but I know the sweats were from hormone levels so it made sense to me.

Many Blessings,
Kathy

My history reads like the other responses...last summer on vacation I landed in the ER twice with runs of PVCs as many as 9 or ten at a time...Toprol did nothing...came home and had Holter monitor, stress test, echocardiogram, ...nothing! Had another episode a few years ago not as bad...they happened until they didn't feel like happening anymore and then they didn't happen anymore...same thing last summer...since then I notice one maybe once or twice a month...very annoying! No one can tell me why, other than yes it could be hormonal they all say...just had TAH/BSO (fibroids with all the same symptoms that you have ) 11 days ago and have had one the whole time and none during surgery...less hormones less PVCs...go figure...jury still out...not taking HRT cause of clotting issues...stress will make it worse but good luck not being stressed when your heart is doing THAT !!! Best advise is get worked up by a cardiologist and go from there...
I'm only 37 so I would be wearing maternity clothes by the time I went into menopause and the fibroids shrink! I was getting there fast! Good luck! Sharon

Oh my gosh! It is so good to hear from all of you. I am feeling more relieved already about these irregular heartbeats. I have gone through two Cardiologists so far and have been tested in about every manner except they did not do a stress test on me. I have had several EKG's, a Holter monitor, echocardiogram, blood tests and have been on several drugs including Toprol-XL (which sent me to the ER), Rythmal, Atenolol and Lorezapam. All of which made matters worse and I ended up feeling (and acting) like a zombie. I am on no drugs as of right now and my heart constantly thumping like I have an alien in my chest. I tire very easily and I am dizzy at times. This Tuesday I will hopefully find out something.

Now about this TAH. My stomach has increased in size and I was wondering why it was doing this because I have not changed my eating habits. My mother had a tumor the size of a small melon removed when she was in her late 40's and they took her uterus. I am supposed to go back to my OB-GYN in about 2 month's or if I am having more problems than I can take, I am to call and they will get me right in. It really scares me and I have read where it really effects your libido. Well, these fibroids are certainly having a negative impact there already. He is afraid of hurting me, and I am afraid of being hurt. It is wishful thinking I guess to think that menopause will get rid of all the issues. And, I don't know if I can wait that long.

I am a sales rep and must travel in the car most of the time and carry a brief case that is heavy. I suppose if I have this operation I will not be able to do that for a while.

Anyway, thanks so much for all the information and if you have anymore please let me know.

Best to all of you,
Brenda

Brenda,
Another thing about PVC's mine are also triggered by stress. So if I am stressed then have them...then they make me scared...more stress more PVC’s. It is a vicious circle at times.
I would talk to the Dr.

Blessings,
Kathy

Hi. I had my hyst a year ago. I still have my ovaries and I don't think I'm near menopause yet (I'm 37), but I do get heart palpitations very frequently. It scares me sometimes. My doc says there's nothing wrong with my heart, but it sure feels weird sometimes to have these irregular beat patterns. All I can say is, I know what you mean!

Dear Lightstormella,
If you notice, often "heart palpitations" are listed as menopausal symptoms. I felt better reading that, then was told by GYN that they are "fairly normal" when I had palpitations/racing at onset of meno problems (47), especially at night; then Doc put me on Premphase for 2 yrs, they stopped and cramping was much better.
After NIH study came out, stopped Premphase & went onto natural progesterone. Have not had any more palitations and I feel much better, though cramps are worse. Have decided to have TAH due to increasing, debilitating pain.
I tried to make it thru menopause thinking it would all go away, but I just can't take it any more.
Definitely see a cardiologist if it persists, but keep in mind it may be influenced by hormone fluctuations.
Best of luck to you.

--calmstorm