Arrhythmia's and Shortness of Breath worse during menstrual cycle

Im 22 and have had an ICD for 5 yrs. Each of my 4 shocks and any syncope episodes have been on my menstrual cycle. I also recently developed heart block which causes extreme shortness of breath during my menstrual cycle. I just got an upgrade to a dual chamber device to try and reduce those symptoms and help the heart block. I am now waiting a couple weeks for my cycle to come so I can see if it works!

Any women out there that have this direct correlation too?

3 Comments

none

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-08 08:03:31

I was born with a complete heart block and I've never notice any correlation. One is the electrical circuitry of our hearts, the other is hormones.

Pacing your ventricle should take care of any symptoms you had from the block. Your heart is doing the pacing but now your ventricle will get the message when the atria wants to go faster. The pm just fills in the gap.

syncope worse during cycle

by renee14150 - 2009-03-08 09:03:00

As a teen my syncope was always worse during my period. It was a given that the first 2 days would be "rough" for me. As I got older the correlation decreased.

Hormones

by cfritza - 2009-12-26 06:12:16

People might be supprised but hormones can affect your hearts rythmn. I have read in my nursing magazines and on the internet and from Dr.'s I know that this is true. I know that I get more PVC's around my menstrual cycle so your not alone.

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!