TL;DR
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Cardiologist Roy Jogiya says menopause-related changes can affect cardiovascular risk and advises women not to assume new symptoms are hormonal. He highlights chest discomfort, unexpected breathlessness and persistent or irregular palpitations as symptoms that may need medical assessment; suspected heart attacks require emergency help.
Cardiologist Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says women going through menopause should not automatically dismiss new chest discomfort, unexpected breathlessness or persistent, irregular palpitations as hormonal symptoms. In advice published by Fit&Well, he says these changes can warrant medical assessment because menopause and aging may coincide with shifts in cardiovascular risk.
Jogiya describes three symptoms to take seriously. The first is new pressure or discomfort in the chest, which can resemble indigestion rather than the severe pain many people associate with a heart attack. He says a heart attack may also involve breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. These symptoms are not proof of a heart attack, but the source advises not to assume they are caused by menopause.
The second is breathlessness during familiar activities, such as climbing stairs or exercising at a usual level. Jogiya says a sudden drop in exercise tolerance deserves investigation. The third is a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists. Palpitations can occur during menopause and may be related to hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety or hot flashes, he says. But persistent palpitations, or those accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, warrant assessment.
According to the report, clinicians may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate whether a rhythm problem is causing palpitations. Jogiya advises calling emergency services if someone thinks they may be having a heart attack, even if uncertain. He also identifies severe breathlessness, collapse and signs of stroke as emergencies. For new or recurring palpitations, unexplained breathlessness, recurrent dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance, he recommends contacting a doctor.
Symptoms Can Overlap With Menopause
The advice addresses a potential source of delay: symptoms such as anxiety, hot flashes, fatigue and palpitations may occur around menopause, while some heart problems can also present with symptoms that are less familiar than dramatic chest pain. Jogiya’s message is not that these symptoms necessarily signal heart disease, but that new, persistent or worsening changes should not be self-diagnosed as hormonal.
He says falling estrogen levels can coincide with changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, abdominal fat and insulin resistance. These are general risk considerations, not a diagnosis for any individual. Recognizing a concerning change and seeking appropriate care can help clinicians decide whether further evaluation is needed. The report also emphasizes that emergency symptoms call for immediate help, rather than waiting to see whether they pass.
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Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
Jogiya says estrogen has roles in blood-vessel health and cholesterol regulation. As estrogen levels fall during menopause, he says LDL cholesterol may rise, blood pressure may increase, and abdominal fat and insulin resistance can develop. He also cautions that aging contributes to cardiovascular changes, so menopause is not the only possible factor behind a change in health.
The report names hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a strong family history of early heart disease as risk factors to discuss with a health professional. Jogiya also points to premature menopause and pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension, as cardiovascular risk markers. He recommends regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, alongside regular activity and a diet emphasizing vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil while limiting saturated fat and salt. He suggests 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week and strength training; individual plans should be discussed with a qualified professional when needed.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr Roy Jogiya, cardiologist and chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK
Symptoms Need Individual Assessment
The report does not provide new research data, rates of heart disease during menopause or evidence that the three symptoms are caused by menopause. It presents one cardiologist’s clinical guidance; symptoms alone cannot establish whether a person has a heart or rhythm condition. The source also does not specify how much any individual’s risk changes or how symptoms should be interpreted without medical history and examination.
Palpitations are often harmless, Jogiya says, and can have several possible triggers. Whether they need testing depends on their pattern and any accompanying symptoms. The report does not give a publication date or link its guidance to a named clinical guideline. Anyone with questions about personal risk or symptoms should consult a qualified health professional; suspected emergencies should be handled through local emergency services.
When to Seek Medical Help
For symptoms suggesting a possible heart attack, the advice is to call emergency services immediately rather than wait for them to become severe. The report specifically flags new chest pressure or discomfort, particularly alongside sweating, nausea or breathlessness. Palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, as well as severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke, also call for emergency attention.
For non-emergency concerns, Jogiya recommends arranging a medical assessment for new or recurring palpitations, unexplained breathlessness, recurrent dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance. A clinician can decide whether tests such as an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor are appropriate and can review blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. The source gives no schedule for future updates; the next step for readers is to seek care based on the urgency and nature of their symptoms.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the cardiologist say should not be dismissed?
Jogiya names new chest discomfort, unexpected breathlessness during familiar activities, and persistent or irregular palpitations. They can have different causes, so symptoms alone do not establish a heart condition.
Can menopause cause heart palpitations?
Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and are often harmless. He lists hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety and hot flashes as possible reasons the heartbeat may feel more noticeable. Persistent palpitations or palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness should be assessed.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling emergency services if a person thinks they may be having a heart attack, even if unsure. It also flags palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, along with severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke, as emergency situations.
What checks does the cardiologist recommend?
Jogiya recommends having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate palpitations, depending on the person’s symptoms and circumstances.
Source: fitandwell.com
