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Cardiologist Roy Jogiya advises women not to assume that new chest discomfort, breathlessness during routine activity or persistent or irregular heartbeats are simply menopause symptoms. He says some symptoms call for emergency care, while new or recurring symptoms should be discussed with a doctor. The source report does not present new research or quantify how menopause changes an individual woman’s heart risk.
A Fit&Well report highlights three symptoms that cardiologist Dr Roy Jogiya says women should not automatically attribute to menopause: new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during familiar activity, and persistent or irregular heartbeats. Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says the symptoms may need medical assessment, and some combinations—such as palpitations with chest pain or faintness—require emergency attention.
Jogiya told Fit&Well that falling estrogen levels during menopause can affect blood vessels and cholesterol. He said LDL cholesterol may rise, blood pressure may increase, and some women may develop more abdominal fat and insulin resistance. These changes can develop gradually, he said, while also noting that aging contributes. The source report does not provide study data or individual risk estimates for these changes.
The first warning sign is new chest pressure or discomfort, which should not be presumed to be indigestion or a menopause symptom. Jogiya said a heart attack in women can also involve breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. He cautioned that symptoms may not resemble the dramatic chest pain commonly associated with heart attacks.
The other signs are a new drop in exercise tolerance—such as becoming breathless on stairs or during a familiar class—and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists or occurs with other symptoms. Jogiya said palpitations can be common during menopause and often harmless, with sleep disruption, anxiety and hot flashes among possible contributors. But persistent symptoms or palpitations accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness or faintness warrant assessment. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate a possible rhythm problem.
When Symptoms Need Urgent Care
The distinction matters because menopause symptoms and heart-related symptoms can overlap, and assuming a new problem is hormonal could delay care. Jogiya’s advice is not that every palpitation or episode of breathlessness signals heart disease; rather, changes from a person’s usual pattern and accompanying warning signs deserve attention.
The report advises calling local emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including when new chest discomfort occurs with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also says to seek emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting, and for severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke. Readers should use their local emergency number; the source names 911 in the United States and 999 in the United Kingdom.
For symptoms that are new or recurring but not an immediate emergency, the report recommends arranging a medical assessment. Jogiya identifies reduced exercise tolerance, recurrent dizziness and unexplained breathlessness as reasons to contact a doctor. These recommendations are general guidance from the cardiologist quoted in the report, not a diagnosis for any individual.
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Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
Jogiya described menopause as both a reproductive and cardiovascular milestone, while emphasizing that hormonal changes are gradual and age also affects heart health. The source report focuses on recognizing possible symptoms and taking preventive steps; it does not describe a new clinical trial, guideline or policy change.
He said risk deserves particular attention for women with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a smoking history, obesity or a strong family history of premature heart disease. He also named premature menopause and pregnancy complications—including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension—as cardiovascular risk markers that may be overlooked.
Jogiya recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, adding strength training, eating a diet featuring vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil while limiting saturated fat and salt, and having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. These are the cardiologist’s recommendations as reported by Fit&Well, not evidence that lifestyle changes remove every person’s risk.
“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 Cannot Establish
The report does not establish that any one symptom is caused by menopause or heart disease. Palpitations can have several explanations, and the account does not give diagnostic criteria that would distinguish a hormonal symptom from a rhythm disorder at home. That assessment may require a clinician and, in some cases, an electrocardiogram or portable monitor.
No publication date, underlying study, prevalence figures or quantified change in heart risk are supplied in the source material. It is also not clear from the report how much an individual’s risk changes with menopause or how risk varies by age, medical history or treatment. Its symptom and lifestyle guidance is attributed to Jogiya, rather than presented as a new formal guideline.
Discuss New Changes With a Doctor
Women experiencing new or recurring palpitations, unexplained breathlessness, dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance should arrange an assessment, according to the report. Symptoms that are worsening, or palpitations that occurred with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness even if they have stopped, merit prompt medical advice. Suspected heart attack symptoms or severe symptoms call for emergency services rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
For prevention, Jogiya recommends checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar and discussing personal risk factors with a clinician. The supplied report announces no further research or official update; it does not specify a follow-up date or a new clinical milestone.
Key Questions
What three symptoms does the cardiologist say not to dismiss?
Dr Roy Jogiya identifies new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during familiar activities, and persistent or irregular heartbeats. These symptoms do not by themselves confirm a heart condition, but they may warrant assessment.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling local emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including new chest discomfort with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. 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.
Are palpitations during menopause always a sign of heart disease?
No. Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and often harmless; hormonal fluctuations, hot flashes, anxiety and disrupted sleep can make the heartbeat feel more noticeable. Persistent or irregular palpitations, especially with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, should be assessed.
Which risk factors does the report identify?
Jogiya names high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking history, obesity and a strong family history of premature heart disease. He also highlights premature menopause and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension.
What prevention steps does the cardiologist recommend?
His recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, strength training, a heart-healthy diet with vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil, and less saturated fat and salt. He also recommends checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
Source: fitandwell.com
