Can Fibromyalgia Affect Your Heart? You Might Be Surprised

If you have fibromyalgia, you’re likely already familiar with the chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog that come with the condition. But did you know that fibromyalgia can also affect your heart?

Many people with fibromyalgia experience heart-related symptoms, like palpitations or irregular heart rhythms, and it’s important to understand why this happens and how to manage it. This article will break down the connection between fibromyalgia and various heart conditions, and offer practical tips for keeping your heart healthy while managing fibromyalgia.

How Fibromyalgia Affects Your Heart

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that affects your muscles and soft tissues, causing widespread pain, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. But what you might not know is that it can also mess with your heart.

One of the key players in this is your autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure. In people with fibromyalgia, the ANS often doesn’t function properly.

Specifically, there’s sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity, which means that your body’s “fight or flight” response is always on, even when there’s no real danger. This overstimulation can lead to an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and even arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).

If you’re constantly stressed, in pain, or feeling anxious, your heart can feel the impact too. Understanding this connection can help you manage your symptoms and take steps to protect your heart health.

Heart Conditions Linked to Fibromyalgia

1. Tachycardia (Fast Heart Rate)

One of the most common heart-related symptoms in people with fibromyalgia is **tachycardia**, or a rapid heart rate. This can happen for a few reasons:

• Sympathetic Nervous System Overdrive: Chronic pain, stress, and even anxiety are all triggers that can raise your heart rate. When you experience these factors consistently, your heart might start beating faster than usual.
• Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST): This specific type of tachycardia happens without any obvious cause. For example, your heart might race after a small movement or even when you’re at rest.

Symptoms of Tachycardia:

• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Weakness or fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain (which can overlap with fibromyalgia pain)
• Palpitations or a fluttering feeling in your chest

If you notice your heart racing or these symptoms occurring frequently, it’s important to keep track and speak with your doctor.

2. Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is a type of irregular heartbeat that can also be more common in fibromyalgia patients. It’s when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly, which can cause a fast and chaotic heart rate.

Symptoms of A-Fib:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Palpitations (feeling like your heart is pounding or fluttering)

A-Fib can be concerning because it increases the risk of **stroke** and can also be tied to other heart problems. If you experience these symptoms, it’s best to get a proper diagnosis and management plan.

3. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Similar to A-Fib, Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) is an arrhythmia, but it affects the heart’s upper chambers (atria). People with SVT experience very rapid heartbeats, often leading to a pounding feeling in the chest or neck.

Symptoms of SVT:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Pounding sensation in the chest or neck
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

If you experience episodes of SVT, it’s important to monitor the frequency and duration and discuss them with your doctor.

4. Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurs when the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) beat too fast. This can prevent the heart from pumping blood effectively, depriving the body of oxygen.

Symptoms of VT:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Potentially leading to cardiac arrest (in severe cases)

Although less common in fibromyalgia, VT is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms.

5. Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

This is a life-threatening arrhythmia that involves the ventricles of the heart. When the ventricles fibrillate (quiver rather than contracting properly), the heart cannot pump blood, which can lead to cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of V-Fib:

• Chest pain
• Very fast heartbeat
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea

If you suspect ventricular fibrillation, you must get emergency medical help immediately. This condition requires immediate intervention, including CPR or defibrillation, to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Heart Function Changes in Fibromyalgia

Aside from arrhythmias, fibromyalgia can also cause subtle but important changes to your heart’s structure and function. For example:

• Atrial Remodeling: In some fibromyalgia patients, changes to the structure of the heart’s upper chambers (atria) can increase the risk of A-fib.
• Diastolic Dysfunction: Fibromyalgia can affect the heart’s ability to relax properly between beats, a condition known as diastolic dysfunction. This can eventually contribute to heart failure if left untreated.
• Lower Heart Rate Variability (HRV): People with fibromyalgia often have reduced HRV, which means the heart has less ability to adapt to stress, such as exercise or emotional strain. Low HRV is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.

How to Monitor Your Heart Health

If you have fibromyalgia and experience heart palpitations, it’s important to keep track of your symptoms so you can discuss them with your doctor. Here are some tips for monitoring your heart:

• Check Your Pulse: When you feel palpitations or your heart racing, measure your pulse. Place your fingers on your wrist or neck to count your heartbeats for 15 seconds and then multiply by four to get your beats per minute (bpm). Normal resting heart rate is between 60-100 bpm.
• Track Symptoms: Write down when your heart rate increases, how long it lasts, and any other symptoms like dizziness or chest pain. Keeping a diary helps you and your doctor understand patterns.
• Monitor Blood Pressure: If you have a blood pressure cuff at home, measure your blood pressure when you experience symptoms. Most home machines also give you your heart rate at the same time.
• Seek Help When Needed: If your heart rate exceeds 100-120 bpm regularly or if you experience severe symptoms (chest pain, fainting), don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.

Treatment and Management of Heart Conditions in Fibromyalgia

While fibromyalgia can increase the risk of heart issues, there are treatments that can help manage both conditions.

• Medications: Depending on the type of heart problem you have, your doctor may prescribe medications to stabilize your heart rate, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers. In cases of arrhythmia, you may need anti-arrhythmic drugs.
• Exercise: Regular aerobic exercise is beneficial for both fibromyalgia and heart health. It can improve cardiovascular fitness and help stabilize your heart rate. However, make sure to consult your doctor about what exercises are safe for you.
• Stress Management: Techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), meditation, and yoga can help lower stress, which can improve both fibromyalgia symptoms and heart health.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, and managing your weight can support both your heart and your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Conclusion: Keeping Your Heart Healthy with Fibromyalgia

While heart conditions are more common in people with fibromyalgia, it’s important to remember that with proper management, you can live well with both fibromyalgia and heart health issues.

Stay on top of your symptoms, track your heart health, and don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about any concerns. By monitoring your symptoms and making a few lifestyle adjustments, you can significantly reduce the impact fibromyalgia has on your heart.

If you ever feel unsure or worried about your heart health, “If in doubt, check it out!” It’s always better to be proactive and ensure you’re doing everything you can to stay heart-healthy.