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Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 81 out now. (Autumn issue, September 2025)

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Author Topic: Heart flutters and palpitations  (Read 5661 times)

Bluebell

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Heart flutters and palpitations
« on: May 29, 2019, 08:12:56 AM »



Hi ladies I've posted on here before about my heart flutters/palpitations.

Last night I went to bed then woke up at 1.30am with heart flutters and the odd palpitation. I couldn't get back to sleep again because they went on all night. When I get them they get me so anxious I'm back and forward to the loo. 😬 I took a beta blocker (propranolol) but it didn't put them away completely. Still feeling anxious.
I've had in the past  ecg's and holters 24 hour and 48 hour and nothing showed up. But I still get really anxious.

I'm 65 years and 6 years post menopause - no one else I know has experienced these at this age?
Is there anyone else out there suffering like this at my age?

When you read about flutters/palpitations it's always about peri menopause not post.
I tried hrt a few years ago but didn't take to it and the Doctors advice now is after 65 years it's not something she would recommend.

I've tried magnesium, I have a good diet and I'm vegetarian. I exercise and walk a lot. I only have one glass of red wine with my evening meal always followed by lots of water. I gave up coffee years ago.

I also had my thyroid tested two weeks ago and that was fine. 🤷🏼‍♀️

If anyone round about my age has similar I'd love to hear from them. 🙏🏽
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Wrensong

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2019, 09:00:35 AM »

Hi Bluebell, I'm so sorry to hear about the palpitations.  I know just how unnerving they are - I had them in long episodes day & night for several years in peri & they continued postmenopause.   The worst were usually during the night.  I'm mid-late 50's so not quite in the age bracket you want to hear from, but have the T shirt in every colour with this horrible symptom & have had all the related checks like you, which showed mine were harmless ectopics.  They continued until around 3 years postmenopause, which was when I began HRT, but also had my thyroid meds changed around the same time, so either could have been a factor in getting rid of the palps.  I do find I can no longer tolerate alcohol, not specifically in relation to palps but because for me it makes flushing & sweats worse, though my palps were often part & parcel of the overheating episodes.  Though you only drink a little, might be worth stopping altogether for a while to see whether that gets rid of the palps?  You could also see your GP again to put your mind at rest.

It's a subject that's been discussed often on the forum, so maybe put palpitations/irregular heart beat or similar into the search box to hear others' experiences if this might help.  I hope you manage to get to the bottom of it & see them off for good.  They are truly horrible & were the worst menopause symptom for me.
Wx
« Last Edit: May 29, 2019, 10:25:15 AM by Wrensong »
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jaypo

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2019, 12:57:40 PM »

Hi bluebell, I suffer these too,although they usually only last a few minutes but my sister who is your age gets them and the last time they lasted for 8 hours,so she is now on tablets for it and hasn't had an episode since,sorry,don't know the name of them but I'm sure if you spoke to your gp?
All the best
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jaypo

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2019, 02:13:18 PM »

That must've tasted lovely Birdy 🤢😆
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Bluebell

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2019, 04:08:06 PM »



Thank-you ladies for getting back to me. That was my worry that I am still getting them 6years post menopause and friends were saying it was unusual. 😬

The Doctor just said we are all unique and some people go on having symptoms longer than others.

I had my bloods done two weeks ago would that have shown my potassium level Birdy?

 I wonder if your sister was put on Beta Blockers Jaypo? I have been offered them to take daily but some people said the had no energy when they took them. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think your right Wrensong I think the wine has to go. 😢

Beginning to wish I had started using HRT years ago...left it too late now.

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Wrensong

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2019, 05:53:57 PM »

Oh Bluebell - sorry to have suggested that about the wine - but it may not have to go for good.  Worth a trial period without it as it would be wonderful if that stopped your palps?  But I do miss a glass of wine, so I know how you feel. 

I was prescribed beta blockers for a while when my palps were bad.  They didn't stop the irregularity but they did blunt the sensation of each beat.  I didn't stay on them for long as they weren't much help.

So sorry you feel you have missed the boat with HRT - I know they generally don't like to start it after 60.  Unfortunately your GP is right about some women having symptoms much longer than others.  I'm now nearly 7 years postmenopause & in my 14th year of symptoms & I know some women posting on here have had them longer than that.  I hope you can get to the bottom of the palps & preferably that they will stop altogether or failing that, that you get some effective treatment for them soon. 

Ooh - just a thought, if there's anything you can do more of that you find really relaxing (other than a glass of wine - sorry!) e.g. meditation, that should help lower any background stress & can reset the whole body over time, making it less reactive.

Let us know how you get on?
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Countrygirl

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2019, 07:16:34 PM »

Bluebell I've been on beta blockers for years and now on quite a high dose, but I still get palpitations a lot, but for some people they work brilliantly.  My mum also suffered from palpitations for years, but hers seem to have stopped in the last year or so and she is nearly 70 x
« Last Edit: May 29, 2019, 07:29:59 PM by Countrygirl »
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jaypo

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2019, 07:18:12 PM »

It's not beta blockers my sister was put on,grrr I can't remember what they're called sorry
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Bluebell

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2019, 08:47:20 PM »



No worries Jaypo - thanks anyway. 😉

That is really reassuring Countrygirl. Thank goodness for this forum -  without it I would be climbing the walls. Thanks for taking the time to answer and tell me about yourself and your Mum. I'm a coward about taking any medication but knowing what you've said I will take the beta blockers.

Wrensong I do occasionally stop my glass of wine when the palps are bad. 😢
Thanks for all your advice and I've just downloaded a mindfulness app.  I'm really grateful to you for taking the time to answer me.
Are you really in your fourteenth year of symptoms? 🙇🏼‍♀️ I hope you feel better soon to.
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Wrensong

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2019, 08:57:16 PM »

Bluebell, it's a pleasure - I'm only sorry I can't do anything much to help.  Yes 14th year of menopause symptoms, but they are way better than in peri, so that's a big relief!  I still find it difficult, as like so many other women in middle age I have other medical conditions & it all adds up.  But there is so much that I enjoy in life, I can do most things, stamina permitting(!) & there are so many problems I would find harder to bear, so I do feel lucky. 

I wish you all the best with the horrible palpitations.  Take good care of yourself.
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Bluebell

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2019, 09:15:42 PM »



Awe Wrensong  - what a lovely outlook you have...very positive. Take care. 😉
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Wrensong

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2019, 10:15:16 AM »

Bluebell - just one more thought, as you are vegetarian I take it your GP tested your iron & B12 in the recent bloods they did for you?  A deficiency of either can cause palpitations.
Wx
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Sparrow

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2019, 11:24:32 AM »

What about other medication Bluebell. 

If you are asthmatic, for instance, not taking a dose sufficient for you needs can cause these problems.
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Bluebell

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2019, 02:49:46 PM »



Hi Wrensong - I had my bloods done a couple of weeks ago and as far as I know everything was fine.

Thanks though, it's another thing to think about. 👍🏼

Hi Jari, the only time I get stressed and very anxious is when I get the palpitations and I usually get them when I have an increase in day flushes and night sweats.
I'm an artist on the West Coast of Scotland - I spend my days in the Studio trying to be creative so have nothing to make me feel stressed...just this blooming menopause. 🤯
Thank you for suggesting that though...if my memory serves me well I had a few palpitations many years ago when I was going through an anxious period. So you're right anxiety can cos this. 😉
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jaypo

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Re: Heart flutters and palpitations
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2019, 03:22:54 PM »

Which part of Scotland bluebell?we've a place in Dunoon & OH from Skye
Sorry ladies,just interested
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