Is It Perimenopause or a Heart Issue? How to Tell the Difference

 

If you're a woman in your late 30s, 40s, or early 50s and you've noticed symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or sudden fatigue, you may be asking yourself an important question:

Is this perimenopause---or could it be a heart problem?

This is a common and valid concern.  Many perimenopause symptoms closely resemble heart disease symptoms in women, which can make it difficult to tell the difference. Understanding how these conditions overlap---and how they differ---can help you seek the right care at the right time. 

Why Perimenopause and Heart Symptoms Are Often Confused 

As women age, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases, especially during and after menopause.  At the same time, hormonal changes during perimenopause---particularly fluctuating estrogen levels---can affect the heart, blood vessels, sleep, mood, and body temperature.

This is why symptoms such as:

• Heart palpitations 
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness 
• Anxiety 

can be linked to perimenopause or heart problems. 

Because the symptoms overlap, many women either dismiss serious warning signs or live in unnecessary fear, assuming the worst. Education is key to protecting your health.

Common Perimenopause Symptoms That Affect the Heart

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause and can last several years. During this time, estrogen levels rise and fall unevenly, triggering a wide range of physical symptoms. 

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Hot flashes are sudden feelings of intense heat, often accompanied by sweating and flushing. Night sweats are hot flashes that occur during sleep and can severely disrupt rest. These symptoms are caused by estrogen changes affecting the body's temperature regulation.

Heart Palpitations During Perimenopause

Many women experience heart palpitations during perimenopause, described as fluttering, pounding, or skipped beats. While these are often harmless and hormone-related, they can feel alarming and should always be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Sleep Problems and Chronic Fatigue 

Hormonal shifts, night sweat, and increased anxiety can lead to insomnia or poor sleep quality. Over time, this can cause exhaustion, brain fog, and reduced quality of life.

Heart Issues in Women: Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Heart disease in women doesn’t always look like it does in men. Symptoms can be subtle and are frequently mistaken for stress, aging, or hormonal changes.

Coronary Artery Disease in Women

Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or damaged. Symptoms may include chest pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, or fatigue rather than sharp chest pain.

Arrhythmias ( Irregular Heartbeats ) 

Arrhythmias cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Symptoms can include palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can trigger or worsen these rhythms. 

Heart Valve Disorders 

Valve problems can lead to breathlessness, swelling in the legs, and persistent fatigue. These symptoms often develop gradually and are easy to overlook.

How to Tell the Difference Between Perimenopause and Heart Problems 

While only a medical professional can make a diagnosis, certain patterns can help identify whether symptoms are more likely hormonal or heart-related. 

Symptoms and Exercise 

Heart-related symptoms often worsen during physical activity, such as chest discomfort, dizziness, or shortness of breath with exertion.

Perimenopause symptoms, while uncomfortable, typically do not worsen specifically because of exercise.

Symptoms and Stress 

Stress can intensify both conditions, but in different ways. Perimenopause may cause anxiety, mood swings, or more frequent hot flashes. Heart issues may present as chest tightness, elevated blood pressure, or a persistent racing heart during stress.

Tracking when symptoms occur and what triggers them can provide valuable insight for your doctor.

When to Seek Medical Attention Immediately 

Some symptoms should never be ignored. Seek medical care right away if you experience:

• Chest pain or pressure 
• Ongoing shortness of breath
• Dizziness or fainting
• Sudden or severe symptoms 

Diagnostic tests such as an EKG, heart monitoring, blood work, and hormone level testing can help determine whether symptoms are related to perimenopause or heart disease.

Protecting Your Health During Perimenopause

Understanding the difference between perimenopause symptoms and heart issues empowers women to take control of their health. You deserve to be heard, taken seriously, and properly evaluated.

You are not overreacting.

You are not imagining your symptoms.

And you are not alone.

By staying informed, monitoring changes in your body, and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can navigate perimenopause with confidence and protect your heart health at the same time.

Your body is giving you information---listening is one of the most powerful acts of self-care.

Shoutout to Function Health!

Inside-out, it starts from within. It's time you own your health. Whole-body lab tests with Function Health. From heart to hormones, cancer signals to thyroid and more. Stay ahead.

Click the Function Health referral link below to get started:

https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=SPETERSON46&_saasquatch=SPETERSON46