If you have put on some extra pounds, you may notice the effects of your weight gain through an increase in heart palpitations. This condition describes the feeling of your heart racing or feeling as if it had skipped a beat. Heart palpitations are a common occurrence that may have benign causes such as caffeine consumption or may indicate a more serious health condition. If you have experienced an unintentional weight gain or an increase in heart palpitations, you should consult your doctor. While mainly harmless, more serious conditions may be at the root of your symptoms.
Menopause
Weight gain and heart palpitations go hand-in-hand with the fluctuating hormone levels associated with menopause. Perimenopausal women may experience increased abdominal fat accumulation which can account for your weight gain. In addition, decreased production of muscle proteins may affect your activity level that can further contribute to weight gain. Heart palpitations are often associated with other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Your weight gain will also increase the workload of the heart.
Stress Management
Stress can worsen symptoms of heart palpitations by increasing your anxiety levels. It can also lead to overeating and weight gain which will further exacerbate your symptoms. The National Library of Medicine recommends managing your stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation. You might also consider deep breathing exercises to reduce your anxiety level. You may also find gentle aerobic exercise such as walking an effective way to control stress while managing your weight.
Thyroid Disorder
Weight gain and heart palpitations may have a medical origin. Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid may cause nervousness, high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats and pulse. Weight gain is rarely associated with this condition. Hyperthyroidism describes a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much hormone. Thyroid hormones are responsible for control of metabolism and energy use in the body. Viral infections or too much iodine intake can trigger thyroid issues. Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder, may also be the underlying cause.
Other Causes
Weight gain and heart palpitations may be the result of a domino effect of being overweight. If you are frustrated about gaining weight, it can increase your stress level. The added pounds will likely be impacting heart function. Diet pills to control your weight may trigger heart palpitations in some individuals. This series of events may be the cause for the simultaneous occurrence of these two issues. Most times, heart palpitations are not serious. However, you should discuss any abnormalities in heart function with your doctor to rule out other causes.
References
- Medline Plus; Heart Palpitations; December 10, 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Menopause - Symptoms; July 23, 2009
- Mayo Clinic: Slowing Aging by Fighting Muscle Wasting Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hyperthyroidism; April 29, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Graves Disease; April 7, 2009
