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Understand this symptom

Heart palpitations during menopause

U

Uma Health

Medically verified7 min read

Insight

The essentials

This symptom is caused by the hormonal shifts your body is going through. Understanding what's happening helps you better cope with what you're feeling.

The (possible) cause

During menopause, hormones fluctuate, and this can make your stress and "alarm" systems more sensitive. This can make your heart feel faster or more irregular, especially around hot flashes or at night. Other things can also trigger palpitations: stress, poor sleep, caffeine/alcohol, dehydration, an overactive thyroid, or anemia. Therefore, it's wise to consider the bigger picture, especially if it's new or significantly changing.

What (often) helps

Many women find it helpful to limit triggers and calm their bodies: drinking enough fluids, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol (especially later in the day), and having regular sleep patterns and periods of de-stimulation. If your palpitations recur frequently for no apparent reason, have your heart rhythm checked by your doctor.

Honest and transparent

The most frequently asked questions

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Vasomotor

The science

Palpitations are usually not a disease in themselves, but a signal: you feel your heart beating faster, harder, or irregularly. During the menopausal transition, they are often associated with vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. This can feel intense, especially if it strikes you unexpectedly.

What researchers think may play a role

  • Hormonal fluctuations: this can already start during perimenopause; the nervous system can react more sensitively.
  • Hot flashes/night sweats: palpitations are often reported at these same times.
  • Stress and anxiety: Emotion and tension can provoke or amplify palpation.
  • Other similar causes: overactive thyroid, anemia, dehydration, heart rhythm disturbance.

Factors that can make it worse

  • Lots of caffeine (coffee/energy), alcohol, nicotine.
  • Poor sleep and fatigue.
  • Not drinking enough, especially when it is hot/night sweats.
  • Continuing with stress for a long time without recovery.

What you can do concretely

1) Map your pattern (7–14 days)
Note: time (day/night), duration, context (stress, coffee/alcohol, hot flashes/night sweats), and whether you feel dizzy/short of breath.

2) Address the most common triggers

  • Drink enough and spread your fluid intake.
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol, especially later in the day.
  • Build a calmer evening ritual (sleep supports your stress system).

3) Have it checked if it comes back
Do you regularly experience palpitations without any apparent cause? Then it's wise to have your heart rhythm checked by your doctor.