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[Lildora]

I have been on HRT for twenty years now.  My doctor, who has recently retired, understood that I couldn't manage without it.  I was off it for 6 months 4 years ago and during that time I had heart symptoms when trying to exercise.  I am supposed to go for walks to keep my blood pressure down but I can't walk more than a few yards when not on HRT.  I was referred to cardiology but they couldn't find anything wrong, so my doctor suggested putting me back on HRT.  The symptoms soon disappeared and I was able to exercise again.  Since my doctor retired my new doctor wants to take me off the HRT because of the risk of breast cancer as I have been on it for 20 years.  I say I would rather take the risk as I really can't function without it.  He actually suggested taking SSRIs instead!  He must think it's psychological!  He said, "You'll want to go for walks if you're on SSRIs.  I thought, I might want to, but I won't be able to without the HRT.  They do say, the biggest risk to health is inactivity, and the HRT enables me to be active.  Without it I am an invalid.  Anyway, he has asked me to take a lower dose for six weeks and then get my blood tested for hormones to see what the levels are.  I know that a lower dose isn't enough for me.  I have tried it before and felt completely drained all the time.  I could hardly cook and we lived on ready meals, which isn't healthy.  I am worried that whatever the level of my hormones is, he will say it is enough because he doesn't want to give me HRT.  Does anyone else have heart symptoms when not on HRT?  I have read that they have recently discovered with a new type of scanner that if a woman has heart symptoms after the menopause it is because there is less blood getting to the heart.  Oestrogen relaxes the blood vessels and more blood can get through.

[Taz2]

Hi Lildora.

This is an interesting question - I haven't heard of HRT "curing" heart problems but there is a first time for everything.  I get palpitations and ectopic beats when not on HRT and become a bit out of breath during hot flushes but it's not severe enough to stop me walking. Did you have an ultrasound of the heart when you came off HRT last time.

How old are you by the way and which type of HRT are you on?

Taz x 

[honeybun]

I am the opposite. HRT helped a lot with palpitations and wobbly heart beat at night. I have the occasional missed beat now but not enough to cause concern.

You could email Dr Currie and ask her opinion and what the best thing would be to do. There is s charge but a whole lot less than going private. She is the meno expert and should be able to help.

Honeyb
x

[Taz2]

It sounds like you are the same Honeybun if HRT helped with the heart sensations?

Taz x

[Cassie]

When you say heart problems, can you say exactly what sort of problems you encounter? I think that many of us encounter ectopics and the wobbles when cutting back on HRT, I know that I certainly do, but are your symptoms more so than this?

[honeybun]

 Ooops got that back to front....meno brain strikes again 


You are completely right Taz.


Honeyb
x

[Taz2]

 

[angelindskiexx]

I went to see my cardiologist on Friday.  He told me that when hormones deplete our cholesterol increases and all types of auto-immune diseases crawl out of the woodwork......  If HRT helps you then stay on it.  Don't let your doctor bully you into something you don't want to do.

[Lildora]

Taz2, I had an ultrasound but they couldn't see anything wrong.  I am 68.  I was on Climaval but it has been changed to Elleste Solo.

Honeybun, thanks I may do that.

Cassie, My heart symptoms are palpitations and missed beats frequently during the day and when walking my heart races and I become breathless, then feel pressure in my chest and feel ill.  I can't walk far because of the pressure and breathlessness.