Irregular Heartbeats in Menopausal Women
October 24, 2023
Women see a lot of changes to their bodies when they enter menopause, but one you probably don't think about is atrial fibrillation or A-fib.
A new American Heart Association study shows that one in four menopausal women develop an irregular heartbeat.
According to M. Kate Elfrey, D.O., a board certified cardiologist with The Heart Center at Mercy, A-fib is a very common irregular heartbeat she sees in both men and women. She said she has seen more women experiencing A-fib, and many are older women.
Dr. Elfrey said there seems to be a hormonal link.
"Most patients will say they feel a flip-flopping inside of their chest, so they might feel irregularity of their pulse. Some women will feel a little light-headed, dizziness, shortness of breath, anything where you develop chest discomfort," Dr. Elfrey said.
Dr. Elfrey explained that increased stress and not getting enough sleep can contribute to developing A-fib. A simple EKG scan can detect the irregular heart rhythm.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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