TL;DR
Get workout gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Cardiologist Roy Jogiya says women should seek medical assessment for new chest discomfort, breathlessness during familiar activities, or persistent or irregular heartbeats during menopause. These symptoms can have other causes, but some may signal a heart problem; emergency services are advised for possible heart attack symptoms or palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness.
A cardiologist is urging women going through menopause not to dismiss new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent palpitations as hormonal symptoms without considering whether they need medical assessment. In a report published by Fit&Well, Dr Roy Jogiya, chief medical adviser at Heart Research UK, says hormonal changes and aging can affect cardiovascular risk, while some symptoms may require urgent care.
Jogiya says falling estrogen levels during menopause can be associated with changes in LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, abdominal fat and insulin resistance. He also cautions that aging contributes to cardiovascular changes, so menopause alone cannot explain any individual symptom or determine its cause.
The three symptoms he highlights are new chest pressure or discomfort, including discomfort that feels like indigestion; becoming breathless during familiar everyday tasks or exercise; and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists. Heart attacks in women can also involve breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen, Jogiya says. Symptoms vary, and the report does not establish that any one symptom is necessarily caused by heart disease.
Palpitations can occur during menopause and may be harmless, Jogiya says. Hormonal fluctuations, sleep disruption, anxiety and hot flashes can make a heartbeat feel more noticeable. But persistent or irregular beats, especially when accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, should be assessed. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate a possible rhythm problem.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes
The advice matters because symptoms associated with menopause can overlap with signs of cardiovascular problems. Treating new or changing symptoms as automatically hormonal could delay assessment, while assuming every palpitation signals heart disease could cause unnecessary alarm. Jogiya’s guidance is to pay attention to what is new, persistent or affecting usual activity, and to seek care at the level the symptoms warrant.
The report also points to risk factors that may warrant discussion with a clinician: high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a strong family history of early heart disease. Jogiya also identifies premature menopause and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension as relevant cardiovascular risk markers. These factors do not diagnose heart disease, but they can inform a person’s risk assessment and preventive care.
Products Worth Considering
Withings BPM Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Blood Pressure Monitor
Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch with Heart Rate, Alexa, Music, Sleep and Swim Tracking
Hyperice Normatec 3 Leg Compression Boots – Full Leg Recovery, Standard Size
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
The Fit&Well report frames menopause as a time when women may want to review cardiovascular health alongside more familiar concerns such as hot flashes, disrupted sleep and anxiety. Jogiya says estrogen has roles in blood-vessel health and cholesterol regulation, and that changes during menopause occur gradually. He also stresses that aging is another contributing factor; the report does not separate the effects of menopause from those of aging for any specific individual.
As preventive steps, Jogiya recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, adding strength training, eating a diet built around vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, and limiting saturated fat and salt. He also advises checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. These are general recommendations in the report, not a substitute for an individual medical plan or evaluation of symptoms.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr Roy Jogiya, chief medical adviser at Heart Research UK, speaking to Fit&Well
When Symptoms Need Medical Review
The report offers general advice, not a diagnosis, and does not provide evidence that the three symptoms are caused by menopause or heart disease in a particular person. Chest discomfort, breathlessness and palpitations can have multiple causes; only a clinical assessment can help determine what is behind them. The source also does not include a study, patient data or a new medical guideline supporting the advice.
Jogiya says to call emergency services if a person thinks they may be having a heart attack, even if unsure. Warning signs include new chest pressure or discomfort, especially with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. He also advises emergency help for palpitations accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting, as well as severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke. The appropriate emergency number depends on location: the report names 911 in the United States and 999 in the United Kingdom.
For non-emergency concerns, the report advises arranging a medical assessment for new or recurring palpitations, reduced exercise tolerance, recurrent dizziness or unexplained breathlessness. It says worsening symptoms, or palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness that have stopped, call for urgent medical advice. The source does not specify how quickly every non-emergency case should be seen; local medical services can advise on urgency.
Discussing Risk and Preventive Checks
Women concerned about symptoms can contact a clinician to discuss their timing, persistence, associated symptoms and any personal risk factors. A clinician can decide whether tests such as an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor are appropriate for palpitations, and whether blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar checks are due. Suspected heart attack symptoms or severe symptoms call for emergency care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Jogiya’s longer-term recommendations are regular moderate activity, strength training, a heart-conscious eating pattern and checks for cardiovascular risk factors. These steps support prevention, but they do not replace assessment of new symptoms. The Fit&Well report does not announce a forthcoming study, policy change or other scheduled development; the next step for an individual depends on symptoms and advice from a health professional.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the cardiologist say women should watch for?
Dr Roy Jogiya highlights new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during familiar activities or exercise, and persistent or irregular palpitations. These symptoms can have causes other than heart disease, so assessment may be needed to establish the cause.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling emergency services if a person thinks they may be having a heart attack, including new chest pressure or discomfort with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also advises emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, and for 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 are often harmless; hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety and hot flashes can make the heartbeat more noticeable. Persistent or irregular palpitations, or palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, warrant medical assessment.
What heart-health checks does the report recommend?
Jogiya recommends having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked so potential problems can be identified and managed. The timing and any further tests depend on a person’s symptoms, history and clinician’s advice.
Source: fitandwell.com
