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Cardiologist Roy Jogiya says menopause-related changes can affect cardiovascular risk and advises women not to dismiss new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent palpitations as hormonal symptoms. The guidance is based on his comments to Fit&Well; it does not mean these symptoms necessarily indicate heart disease.
Cardiologist Dr Roy Jogiya has advised women going through menopause not to assume that new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent palpitations are simply hormonal symptoms. In comments to Fit&Well, he said menopause-related changes can coincide with shifts in cardiovascular risk, and outlined when symptoms call for emergency help or a medical assessment.
Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, said falling estrogen levels can affect blood vessels and cholesterol. He said LDL cholesterol may rise and blood pressure may increase, while abdominal fat and insulin resistance can also develop. These changes happen gradually, he said, and aging also contributes. His comments describe possible risk-related changes; they do not establish that menopause alone causes heart disease in any individual.
The three symptoms he highlighted are new chest pressure or discomfort, especially when it resembles indigestion; breathlessness during familiar activities or exercise; and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists or comes with other symptoms. Jogiya said heart attack symptoms in women can include breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. He cautioned that not everyone experiences the dramatic chest pain often shown in television depictions.
Palpitations can occur during menopause and may be harmless, Jogiya said. Hormonal fluctuations, poor sleep, anxiety and hot flashes can make a heartbeat feel more noticeable. But he advised assessment for persistent or irregular palpitations, particularly when accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness, faintness or fainting. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to check for a rhythm problem, according to the report.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes
The guidance draws attention to a practical risk: symptoms that overlap with menopause experiences may be attributed to hormones without checking for other causes. That does not mean these symptoms confirm a heart problem, but changes from a person’s usual activity tolerance or heartbeat can be worth discussing with a health professional.
Jogiya identified people with hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, a smoking history, obesity or a strong family history of premature heart disease as groups who may face greater cardiovascular risk. He also named premature menopause and pregnancy-related conditions such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension as risk markers that can be overlooked. These are considerations for individual clinical assessment, not a diagnosis.
His advice pairs symptom awareness with prevention: regular activity, a heart-healthy eating pattern and checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. The report recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly and including strength training. Personal needs vary, so people with health concerns can ask a qualified clinician what activity and screening schedule suit them.
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Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
The Fit&Well report presents menopause as a period when cardiovascular factors may shift, while also recognizing the role of aging. Jogiya said estrogen supports healthy blood vessels and cholesterol regulation; as estrogen levels fall, changes in LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, body fat distribution and insulin resistance may occur. The report does not provide study results or quantify how much menopause changes any individual woman’s risk.
Its recommendations are to eat vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, reduce saturated fat and salt, stay active and have blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. These are prevention measures from the cardiologist’s advice, not a substitute for evaluating symptoms. New or recurring symptoms still need to be considered on their own merits.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, speaking to Fit&Well
Symptoms Need Individual Assessment
The report does not say how often these symptoms signal a heart condition, or how to distinguish a cardiac cause from menopause, anxiety or another health issue without an assessment. Palpitations are often harmless, according to Jogiya, but persistence and accompanying symptoms can change the level of concern. No examination or patient-specific medical history is available in the source.
The report also gives no publication date and does not cite research or clinical guidelines alongside Jogiya’s comments. Its symptom list should be read as guidance to seek appropriate care, not proof that a person is having a heart attack or rhythm disorder. If symptoms are severe, worsening or accompanied by signs of an emergency, the report advises acting promptly rather than waiting for certainty.
When to Seek Medical Care
Jogiya said to call emergency services if a person thinks they may be having a heart attack, even if unsure. The report lists new chest pressure or discomfort, particularly with sweating, nausea or breathlessness, as a warning sign. It also advises emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting, as well as severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke. Emergency numbers differ by location; the source names 911 in the United States and 999 in the United Kingdom.
For non-emergency situations, the report advises arranging a medical assessment for new or recurring palpitations, reduced exercise tolerance, recurrent dizziness or unexplained breathlessness. It says to seek urgent advice if symptoms are worsening, or if palpitations previously occurred with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, even if those symptoms have stopped. A clinician can decide whether tests such as an ECG or portable monitor are appropriate.
For longer-term prevention, Jogiya recommends regular moderate exercise with strength training, a diet emphasizing vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, and less saturated fat and salt. He also advises checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar so concerns can be identified and managed. Decisions about symptoms, tests and treatment should be made with a qualified health professional.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the cardiologist say not to dismiss?
Dr Roy Jogiya highlighted new chest discomfort, breathlessness during familiar activities or exercise, and persistent or irregular palpitations. These symptoms can have different causes and do not by themselves confirm heart disease.
Can menopause-related palpitations be harmless?
Yes. Jogiya said palpitations are common during menopause and often harmless. He advised seeking assessment if they persist, feel irregular or occur alongside chest pain, breathlessness or faintness.
When does the report advise calling emergency services?
It advises calling emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including for new chest pressure or discomfort with symptoms such as sweating, nausea or breathlessness. Emergency help is also advised for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or feeling faint, and for severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke.
What steps does Jogiya recommend for heart health?
He recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, adding strength training, choosing a diet with vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, limiting saturated fat and salt, and checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. People should discuss personal health concerns and activity plans with a qualified clinician.
Source: fitandwell.com
