Can hot flashes cause a racing heart?

Yes, they can. A hot flash can come with a rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations, along with heat, flushing, and sweating. Here at Alloy, we explain it as part of the body’s cooling response when shifting estrogen levels make the brain’s thermostat extra sensitive. Your body thinks it’s overheating, so your heart may beat faster while your skin blood vessels widen and you start to sweat.

That said, a racing heart can also happen with anxiety or panic, and those episodes are more likely to come with a strong sense of fear or impending doom. If you’re having chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, or you’re not sure what’s causing the symptom, it’s worth getting checked, since thyroid issues and heart-related problems can overlap with menopause symptoms.

For a clear breakdown, these Alloy articles are helpful: Hot flashes and anxiety, what’s the connection and What causes hot flashes. If hot flashes are frequent or disruptive, here at Alloy we also offer treatment options like the estradiol patch and estradiol pill.

Patch Shortage? Not at Alloy.

Prescription estrogen patches, in stock and shipped free to your door.

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