Sex Differences in Cardiac Arrhythmias

This article provides an overview of heart rate and arrhythmias in women. Men and women seem to experience arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, differently, in part due to different hormone levels. Menopause and perimenopause, menstruation, and pregnancy can lead to changes in hormones and in turn, affect heart rate.

Women tend to have higher average heart rates than men do. Pregnancy and menopause both lead to changes in heart function... Although many arrhythmias affect more men than women, these irregular heart rhythms may cause different symptoms in women.

This article does not discuss heart health for trans, non-binary, or agender populations.

SOURCE: Cleveland Clinic • LAST UPDATED: July 28, 2022