Q: I am a 36 years old female. I don’t smoke or drink and am not over weight. Unfortunately I have been diagnosed with HBP. I am currently on Atenolol (5mg). I have noticed that a week before my monthly cycle, I get shortness of breath and palpitations, especially when I’m asleep and it wakes me up. No one can seem to explain to me why this happens. The blood test results have come back with me being slightly anemic. Do you have any idea what can be causing these symptoms?
A: With the symptom of palpitations, I wonder about an irregular heartbeat. It is possible right before your period your heart has episodes of an irregular or fast beat. You did not mention if your doctor did a tracing of your heart rhythm. Many women report different symptoms that only occur right before their menstrual cycle. This is known as premenstrual syndrome.
To learn more about this common problem for women go to this article at WomensHealth.org.
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The shortness of breath & palpitations could be caused by the Atenolol. Have your Doctor put you on a Holter monitor for 24 hours one week before your monthly cycle when the symptoms occur. When I first went on BP meds, I experienced irregular (extra) heart beats and palpitations. Your symptoms could also be anxiety or panic attack symptoms induced by stress. Have a Cardiologist check it out to at least put your mind at ease if it is stress related, or he may try other BP meds if it continues.
When I was on atenolol it actually increased the incidence of my heart palpitations.
Try googling “negative side effects of atenolol”, and see what you can find.
All the best!!
Atenolol is prescribed for HBP. However, I was surprised to find that two friends of mine who did not have HBP were prescribed Atenolol for their irregular heartbeat. (and their BP remained normal). Can anyone explain this ambiguity?
I would suggest that you consider getting a sleep study done to determine if you have sleep apnea. Your symptoms are very similar.
Take care
I have low iron and get palpitations that wake me up during the night
I talked to my doctor about this same thing and he said he didn’t know of any reason why this would happen during or because of a menstrual cycle. But month after month I would notice that my BP was definitely much higher. So I asked again if hormones might play a role in my HBP, which we were struggling to regulate with meds. Still, same answer. Months later, by accident, I read a blog about a woman who’s BP went up every month during her cycle. Countless other women responded that it was happening to them too. And guess what?? Their doctors all told them the same thing: It’s unrelated.
I’m thinking someone in the medical research field needs to do a serious study on the effect of hormones on women with HBP.
Try womantowoman.com for hormones and HBP
Drink at least 6 – 8 Glasses of water and rest take a day off
I do not see anything about tenormin and lower heart-rate?? Please check heart-rate. I had this problem
and had to change. I now take hawthron berries and it is keep my BP normal . I have a 30 history of BP
problems.
Hello, I would have a tread mill test done along with a ultrasound test done immediately after stepping off the tread mill, this will show if you have a mitral valve leakeage problem, ( many females have this ) symptoms of mitral Valve prolapse are rapid pulse, heart palpitations, anxiety , some of these symptoms show up at various times, then go away , sometimes Hypertension is also one of the symptoms, Beta Blockers as well as mild anxiety drugs like Ativan are used.
Elevated BP and sometimes migraine headaches are pretty common during your monthly period- it is all hormone related, I started having this problem when I turned 33, i was also placed on BP meds but somehow, my doctor figured out that the elevated BP and migraines are hormonal related. I am now 37 and I have since stopped the BP meds and take maxalt for the migraine- I also take camomile tea with cinnamon and Rooibos tea to control the palpitations and shortness of breath.. my BP is 114/70- obviously, it is working for me- you may try this after you’ve had a cardiologists check you out. All the best.
You did not mention what your BP is on Atenolol.
Did the palpitations and shortness of breath start after you were taking the Atenolol or were they present before?
There is an increase in Progesterone approximately one week prior to your period. This may account for the palpitations.
In any case, you should probably see a Cardiologist. He/she would be the best person to evaluate your situation.
I have had a valve replacement about 3 years ago. I am on lipitor, warfarin, asotolol to keep the heart beat low, metforman and accuretic. I still get shortness of breath but other days feel I can just fine, heart palpatations but the worst is the perspiring. I am a young 64 years old and the persperation just pours off of me and it’s not hot flashes. At times I change my t shirt 2 and 3 times daily and my hair gets soaked. My doc has said this is normal. The heart doc says it’s not my heart or my meds. I say this is not normal and it gets me down especially when I get ready to go out and get all sweaty. I’m told what it isn’t but not what it is. It gets me down. Jenny
Get this “DR” off this site.