Menopause Racing Heart Study

Menopause Racing Heart Study

Palpitations occur in more than 25% of women as they approach menopause and after menopause. However, the etiology of menopausal palpitations has not been studied, and it is unknown whether palpitations in menopausal women are caused by underlying arrhythmias or other electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities.

Objective:

1. The primary objective of this exploratory pilot study is to assess whether arrhythmias and/or other ECG abnormalities underlie symptomatic palpitations in peri- and postmenopausal women 2 The secondary objective is to better understand women's palpitations symptom experiences (describe the symptom, its dimensions (frequency, severity, distress, duration, temporal pattern, aggravating/alleviating factors), and any attempted or actual healthcare utilization related to the symptom (provider contacts, discussions, referrals; laboratory or other tests).

In this study, 30 peri- and post-menopausal women will be enrolled to determine if they have underlying arrhythmias or other ECG abnormalities. n=15 peri/postmenopausal women who describe palpitations within the previous 2 weeks and a control group of n=15 peri/postmenopausal women who have not experienced palpitations within 6 months will be enrolled. All participants will undergo placement of a 14-day adhesive ECG monitoring patch [(Carnation Ambulatory Monitoring (CAM) patch, Bardy Diagnostics] on their chest. After wearing the patch for 14 days, the patch will be removed, and a 2nd 14-day patch will be placed, for a total of 28 days of ECG recording. Data from the adhesive ECG patches will be uploaded and an assessment of arrhythmias and other ECG changes will be made. In addition, all participants will undergo a semi-structured interview to obtain information on their palpitations symptoms experience.

Changes in study procedure:

1. To reduce participant and staff burden and costs, in April 2023, we reduced the ECG wear time to 14 days and eliminated study visit 3. We did this because the ECH patches did not always adhere well to the skin, necessitating extra study visits, extra patches, and additional costs.
2. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic delays in study initiation and the ECG issues, we recruited 15 rather than the originally planned 20 women in each group. The new sample size was consistent with our limited funding, limited staff resources, and the pilot nature of the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women aged 40-62 years

2. Upper limit of 62 years because this is 10 years past the median age at menopause, which is the age range when most women experience menopause symptoms

3. Peri-menopausal women

   • Defined as no menses in the past 3 months or menses in the past 3 months but cycles are less regular (as self-reported by the women)20

4. Postmenopausal women

   • No menses for 12 months or longer

5. Women with surgical menopause will be included

6. Willing to wear the adhesive heart monitor on their chest for 28 days

7. Palpitations group: women who have reported palpitations within the previous 2 weeks

8. Control group: Women who report having no palpitations within the past 6 months

9. Completion of 2-week symptom diary

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant
2. Breastfeeding
3. History of arrhythmias (with the exception of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia or sinus tachycardia)
4. History of stroke
5. History of heart failure
6. Permanent pacemaker
7. Taking antiarrhythmic drugs (with the exception of ß-blockers, diltiazem or verapamil)
8. Known skin allergies (CAM patches are contraindicated)
9. Family history of skin allergies (CAM patches are contraindicated)