For the last 5 days it has felt as though I have an extra heart beat. This condition comes and goes but has been continuous. I've just turned 50 and this has happened in the past when I went to A&E. I had several scans that revealed that I do suffer from this condition but I wondered if it could be connected to the menopause? I don't really have any other symptoms yet.

This is so common in the menopause!

Lowering oestrogen affects mood chemicals making our nervous system more jumpy or reactive, we become more sensitive to stress of any kind, both physical and emotional and our nervous system can go into overdrive at the slightest thing.

So any kind of stress, even a half subconscious thought of worry or dehydration, or certain foods such as a cup of coffee or sugary cake, can trigger this!

I know how horrible it is as I had it for a while last year, I was very busy and very stressed and it does frighten you when it starts.

I had been overworking and not doing my daily relaxation and exercises and once I got back to my regime, plus taking extra magnesium, it soon subsided, although it still can happen occasionally if I don't look after myself!

I did check with my doctor as this is important but they agreed it was stress as well. So try to do daily relaxation and a magnesium supplement and a vitamin B Complex should help.

Eileen Durward