The Healthy Choices Wellblog

Common causes of heart palpitations or that feeling of the heart skipping a beat
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

As a perimenopausal woman, I am experiencing heart palpitations. I do not have hot flashes now or that “racing heartbeat” that some women going through menopause go through but I do have that “heart just skipped a beat” thing going on and, quite frankly, it’s a little scary.

I didn’t realize menopause could cause heart palpitations but, apparently, it’s quite a common menopausal symptom and is caused by hormone fluctuations, which can happen very suddenly in the menopausal woman. However, I also learned that this condition can occur during menustration and during pregnancy as well, so any time a woman’s body is going through hormonal changes it appears that heart palpitations may happen as well.

Other causes of heart palpitations can be ingesting too many stimulants like caffeine or diet pills, or drinking too much alcohol.

Someone with panic disorder or anxiety disorder can experience heart palpitations as a result of stress, fear or anxiety.

Certain heart conditions, including mitral valve prolapse can cause heart palpitations as well.

Of course, most illegal drugs can affect the heart adversely including causing rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, arrythmia, etc.

Additional considerations if you are having heart palpitations: Smoking, stress and certain medications (talk with your doctor about any you are taking if you develop heart palpitations).

You should also rule out thyroid problems that can sometimes create heart palpitations as well as ruling out anemia.

Hyperventilation can bring them on as well, as can exercising too long or too intensely for your current level of endurance.

Proper diagnosis to rule out heart disease or other heart problems can be indicated but, in my case, I really feel it’s menopausal and caffiene-related along with stress in some cases. What I’ve learned about myself is that it doesn’t really matter if it’s what I would call good stress or the type of stress that is induced by worry, fear, or struggle.

I am just as apt to get these heart palpitations after a wonderful, fun but very tiring day of shopping, eating out and visiting with my friends as I am to get them out of any anxious state. The key for me is to not overdo the caffiene, to take frequent breaks during very busy days and most of all, to be sure I drink enough water and eat enough protein.

Health Alert about Medtronic Recall
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved

Before reading this, if you have a metronic defibrillator, first thing to do is take a deep breath, relax and let go of fear.  The last thing a person with a pacemaker needs is to be stressed.  Chances are, yours is fine so read the following information with that in mind.

The Medtronic company has issued a recall on defibrillators because of a potentially health-threatening concern.  It appears that certain models have fractures in the defibrillator leads that can cause malfunction leading to shocks or loss of service.

Only certain models are affected and the number of fractured leads found is small but if you have a Medtronic device, please call your doctor and get the model number you were given and then call the company directly to find out if your model number is one of the recalled products.

This is a Class 1 recall which means the problem could result in a life-threatening situation for those who might have a model with a fractured lead.

To call the Medtronic company, just dial their patient assistance line between the hours of  7 am and 9 pm CST

1-800-551-5544, extension 41835

 You can also get more information on this serious health alert, by visiting the FDA page on the recall

Health Care Recap from Oprah:

Osteoporosis prevention tips from Dr. Oz

 Did you catch Oprah today?  Dr. Oz had some really basic, easy tips for preventing osteoporosis:

He had 3 top suggestions:

Lift Weights

Keep alcohol and cigarette smoking to a minimum

Take Vitamin B3

In addition, he suggests taking vitamins A, C, E and the B Vitamins.

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