TL;DR
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Cardiologist Dr. Roy Jogiya says menopause-related changes may affect cardiovascular risk, and warns women not to assume new chest discomfort, breathlessness or persistent palpitations are only hormonal. The guidance comes from an expert interview published by Fit&Well; it is not a report of new research or a clinical guideline.
A cardiologist interviewed by Fit&Well is urging women going through menopause not to dismiss new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent heart palpitations as hormonal symptoms without seeking medical assessment. Dr. Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says menopause-related changes can coincide with shifts in cardiovascular risk, while stressing that symptoms need assessment to determine their cause.
Jogiya said falling estrogen levels during menopause can be associated with changes in blood vessels and cholesterol. He told Fit&Well that LDL cholesterol may rise, blood pressure may increase, and abdominal fat and insulin resistance can develop. He also cautioned that these changes happen gradually and that aging contributes, so menopause alone does not establish why an individual has a symptom or a particular level of risk.
The first symptom he highlighted was new chest pressure or discomfort, which may feel like indigestion rather than the severe pain often associated with a heart attack. Jogiya said women may also have breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. He advised calling emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, even if the person is unsure; the report says not to wait for symptoms to become severe.
The other symptoms are breathlessness during familiar activities and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists. A sudden change in exercise tolerance, such as becoming short of breath on stairs that were previously manageable, deserves investigation, Jogiya said. Menopausal palpitations can be common and often harmless, he added, but persistent or irregular beats—particularly with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness—should be assessed. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate rhythm problems.
Recognizing Heart Symptoms During Menopause
The practical point is not that these symptoms prove heart disease, but that attributing them automatically to menopause can delay assessment. Chest discomfort and breathlessness can have multiple causes, and only a health professional can evaluate an individual’s symptoms and risks. The report distinguishes symptoms needing emergency help from new or recurring problems that warrant a medical appointment.
Jogiya also identified factors that may add to cardiovascular risk, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a strong family history of premature heart disease. He said a history of premature menopause, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or pregnancy-related hypertension may also be relevant. This makes the advice useful not only for symptom recognition but for discussing personal history and routine checks with a clinician.
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Menopause, Risk and Prevention
The source is a health and wellness report based on an interview with Jogiya, not a study measuring how often menopause causes heart disease. It presents his clinical advice on symptoms and prevention. The interview says both aging and menopause-related changes may contribute to cardiovascular shifts, but it does not quantify their separate effects or establish that a particular symptom is caused by hormones or a heart condition.
For prevention, Jogiya recommended aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, alongside strength training, and eating a diet with vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil while limiting saturated fat and salt. He also advised checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar so potential problems can be identified and treated. These are general recommendations in the report; readers should discuss what is suitable for them with a qualified health professional.
“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
What Symptoms Can and Cannot Show
The report does not provide new clinical research, patient data or estimates of how much menopause changes an individual woman’s risk. It also does not establish that chest discomfort, breathlessness or palpitations are caused by menopause—or that they necessarily indicate a heart problem. Symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis, and the cause must be assessed in light of a person’s health and circumstances.
The article does not specify the date of the interview or publication in the supplied material, nor does it identify a particular study or clinical guideline behind the advice. Its emergency numbers reflect the locations named in the report: 911 in the United States and 999 in the United Kingdom. Readers elsewhere should use their local emergency number.
When to Seek Medical Assessment
According to the report, call emergency services for suspected heart attack symptoms, or for palpitations accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting. Severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke also require emergency attention. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen if a heart attack is suspected.
For non-emergency concerns, arrange an assessment for new or recurring palpitations, reduced exercise tolerance, recurrent dizziness or unexplained breathlessness. The report advises urgent medical advice if symptoms are worsening, or if an episode involving palpitations and chest pain, breathlessness or faintness has stopped. A clinician can decide whether tests such as an electrocardiogram or heart monitor are appropriate and discuss checks for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the cardiologist say not to dismiss?
Dr. Roy Jogiya highlights new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during familiar activities, and persistent or irregular palpitations. They do not by themselves confirm a heart condition, but he says they may warrant medical assessment.
Can menopause cause palpitations?
Jogiya told Fit&Well that palpitations are common during menopause and often harmless. He also said persistent or irregular beats, especially with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, should be assessed by a health professional.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including for new chest pressure or discomfort, particularly with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also advises emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting. Use the emergency number where you are.
What checks did the cardiologist recommend?
Jogiya recommended having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. For suspected rhythm problems, a clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor. A clinician can advise which checks are appropriate for an individual.
Source: fitandwell.com
