“I am experiencing tachycardia after having heavy bleeding during my menstrual cycle. What should I do?”
This month I had my monthly cycle heavier than my usual one. I also felt extremely weak and tired by the end of it. I went for an ECG which showed tachycardia. Can you please interpret these facts for me? I am extremely worried on what will be the next steps.
9 Answers
Tachycardia and weakness after a heavy menstrual cycle can be symptoms of dehydration and/or anemia from your blood loss. Speak to your doctor to determine the cause.
Mark Rasak
Cardiologist
Not sure what your age is or heart rate was or if you are anemic, so I'll answer with generalities. The tachycardia is likely secondary to the low hemoglobin (effects of the hormones and anxiety during your period can play a role as well). When a patient loses blood and the blood count drops, the fast heart rate is a reflexive tachycardia and is normal. Treat the periods and rate will take care of itself.
Don't be worried, maybe you are anemic. Sometimes taking an iron supplement during your periods may replenish the losses. Please discuss with your gynecologist as well.
Julia G. Ansari
Cardiologist
Tachycardia just means fast heartbeat which is anything more than 100 beats per minute. Sinus tachycardia can happen during bleeding/dehydration, infection, pain. For your situation, if your tachycardia is sinus and not atrial fibrillation or flutter, you just have to get yourself better hydrated and manage the pain with medication. So the first thing you need to know is what kind of tachycardia is it, so you can treat it right. I suspect yours is sinus tachycardia and not dangerous at all.
Consult your gynaecologist because tachycardia could be as a result of anaemia.
Hi, tachardia with menstruation is quite common. It could be due to anemia, (blood loss), or electrolyte issues (kidney, liver). I would consider an echocardiogram of the heart, and maybe a gyn eval for fibroids. I most likely would go in that order, also check hormones, especially if you're menopausal, a great idea.
Sinus tachycardia would be a normal response to the stress you describe. However, if it is an abnormal tachycardia, that still might be caused by your stress but would not be a normal response. I assume that your ekg just showed tachycardia and not an ectopic tachycardia.
Hi,
First, stop worrying. What you experienced is a very normal physiologic response. Since you lost more blood due to your heavy period, you became slightly anemic (loss of red blood cells). Since red blood cells carry oxygen, you body had to compensate to maintain blood supply to your tissues, so it increased you heart rate. You also may have been somewhat anxious during the EKG recording, and a heightened adrenaline level accelerated your heart rate. So, this anemia should correct itself slowly, and it would be helpful if you took IRON supplement for a short time. Of importance, is watch what happens to your next cycle, and if it is heavy again, then consult your GYN. Hope this was helpful.
First, stop worrying. What you experienced is a very normal physiologic response. Since you lost more blood due to your heavy period, you became slightly anemic (loss of red blood cells). Since red blood cells carry oxygen, you body had to compensate to maintain blood supply to your tissues, so it increased you heart rate. You also may have been somewhat anxious during the EKG recording, and a heightened adrenaline level accelerated your heart rate. So, this anemia should correct itself slowly, and it would be helpful if you took IRON supplement for a short time. Of importance, is watch what happens to your next cycle, and if it is heavy again, then consult your GYN. Hope this was helpful.
The chances are that you are anemic (low red blood cell count and hemoglobin). These are the oxygen carrying components of our blood. When hemoglobin is low from ongoing blood loss, less oxygen is delivered to our organs and cells and the heart has to pump faster to make up for it- it is a natural reflex, a response to the anemia.
I advise you to speak to your primary care MD and your Gynecologist about the cause of your heavy menses, how to manage it and possibly starting iron supplements.
Hope this is a helpful starting point but following the guidance of your doctor is most important.
I advise you to speak to your primary care MD and your Gynecologist about the cause of your heavy menses, how to manage it and possibly starting iron supplements.
Hope this is a helpful starting point but following the guidance of your doctor is most important.
