Heart Flutters, Heart Palpitations Common In Women

Women Are Prone To Heart Skips, Heart Flutters, And Heart Palpitations; Follow Up Advised To Rule Out Potentially Dangerous Rhythm Disorders

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It should come as no surprise that doctors at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute see a lot of female patients with heart flutters, heart skips, and heart palpitations. Women are wired different from men. These flutters can range from bothersome to terrifying, but aren't usually serious.

Cardiologist Tracy Stevens, M.D., medical director of Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center, says symptoms may worsen with stress, use of caffeine, alcohol, decongestants, inhalers, sleep aids, or weight loss medications. In cases like these, the pulse rate increases due to adrenalin. Some palpitations are caused by medical disorders like uncontrolled high blood pressure, anemia, thyroid abnormalities, electrolyte imbalances, and sleep apnea.

Hormonal cycles in women or changes in hormonal therapy may be associated with heart skips or flutters, as well as chest pain.