What should you know about hormonal palpitations?

Changes around menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause may alter how strongly you notice your heartbeat. Heat, poor sleep, stress, dehydration and stimulants such as caffeine can add to the sensation. Palpitations can also occur with anaemia, iron deficiency, an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar or an abnormal rhythm. A palpitation is a symptom, not a diagnosis; an episode does not by itself show which cause is present.

Sit down, breathe slowly and record when the feeling starts, how long it lasts, what your pulse seems to do, and any relation to your cycle or medicines. Drink fluids if you may be dehydrated, eat regular meals and limit caffeine, nicotine and energy drinks. Arrange a clinical review if episodes recur, interrupt sleep or come with fatigue, tremor, weight change or heavy menstrual bleeding. A clinician may check your pulse, blood count, thyroid function, glucose and heart rhythm.

Seek emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, marked dizziness, confusion or a sustained very rapid or irregular heartbeat. Get prompt medical advice if episodes are becoming more frequent, occur with exertion, or continue despite rest. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint.

Could my symptoms relate to my menstrual or menopausal stage? Should my medicines, thyroid, blood count, glucose or heart rhythm be checked? What symptoms should make me seek emergency help?