Hormones

Has anyone worked with an endocrinologist to understand the if hormonal fluctuations may be causing arrhythmias. I told my electrophysiologist that there seems to be a correlation between my cycle and cardiac events, and he said it’s possible but he didn’t know how to interpret hormone levels. 

I’ve had metabolic panels run in emergency type situations, and nothing has come back out of range. With that said, the timing of my cardiac symptoms and cycle seem suspect.

Thanks in advance!

5 Comments

Maybe. Maybe not

by Gotrhythm - 2022-03-29 12:15:29

I don't question that arrythmias could sometimes be related to hormonal fluctuactions. I still (!!!) get the occasional hot flash and they are often accompanied by PVCs--but not always. There's no one-to-one correlation. I certainly have more PVCs than hot flashes.

I'm also more likely to have PVCS if I let myself get really rushed or upset. Different hormones than those associated with menstrual cycles, but hormones none the less.

So based on my experience, while I think there could be a connection, it's hard for me to imagine how one would track the minute to minute changes in hormone balance and tease out which arrythmias were caused by them.

 

Hormones

by TAC - 2022-03-29 18:56:34

The body functions like a well coordinated unit of all its parts. If any of its parts is out of line, the entire unit will be afected. Being hormones an important element, its failure will cause a significant effect in the other systems of the body.

Gotrhythm

by JayKay - 2022-03-30 06:37:53

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts on the matter!

I was able to find a meta analysis that surveyed and summarized literature related to cardiac vagal activity fluctuations over the course of the menstrual cycle. For some, high vagal tone can trigger ventricular arrhythmia. Not sure if that's related to my condition, but it's been suggested, and certainly fits the bill.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6912442/#__ffn_sectitle

If I end up with an endocrinologist, I'll report back any findings.

Thanks again!

Palpitations and hormones

by Selwyn - 2022-03-30 08:18:02

Palpitations are a recognised symptom of the menopause ( FSH, follicle stimulating hormone levels are raised).

Flushing causes an increase in skin blood flow, this needs an increase in cardiac output.

Anxiety by itself produces an excess of adrenalin ( ephedrine) and produces palpitations. Premenstrual tension is well recognised.    FSH levels increase in the menstrual cycle to do what it  is meant to do ... to release an egg from a follicle in your ovaries. It is the FSH that is associated with palpitations anecdotally ( FSH is  said to mimic hormones such as bradykinin and vasopressin, that affect blood vessels etc.)

An overactive thyroid will produce palpitations and is associated with cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. 

Some tumours secrete hormones eg. carcinoid, adrenal tumours etc. This can cause palpitations. 

You may find beta blockers useful for palpitations associated with your periods. These can be taken on a as necessary basis. 

For a detailed breakdown of menstrual cycle hormones and arrhythmias see:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8617862/

( Your physician needs to read this!).

Selwyn

by JayKay - 2022-03-30 22:17:22

Thank you for summarizing all of that and for the article. Looking forward to reviewing it!

As for the suggestion of beta blockers, unfortunately they actually trigger my arrhythmic storms. Found that out the hard way on three separately occasions. Got the bajeezus shocked out of me 8 times. The doctors finally put a note in my chart to treat me like a Brugada patient.

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