Summary
Hot flashes during perimenopause involve acute autonomic nervous system changes, with decreased parasympathetic and increased sympathetic activity. Severe menopausal symptoms correlate with chronically lower HRV.
Methods
HRV monitoring during and between hot flash episodes
Key Findings
- HRV decreases acutely during hot flash episodes
- Sympathetic activity increases, parasympathetic decreases
- Women with severe symptoms have lower baseline HRV
- Lower HRV may indicate increased cardiovascular risk
- Estrogen decline drives autonomic changes
Limitations
Individual symptom severity varies widely
What This Means for You
If you're experiencing perimenopause, lower HRV and hot flashes may be connected. HRV tracking can help identify triggers and monitor whether treatments (HRT, lifestyle changes) are helping.
Source
Read the original paper in American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2025-01-10