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
A Fit&Well report quotes cardiologist Dr. Roy Jogiya identifying chest discomfort, a new loss of breath during routine activity and persistent or irregular palpitations as symptoms women should not automatically attribute to menopause. He says symptoms such as chest pain with breathlessness or faintness may require emergency care; the report is expert guidance, not a new study or diagnosis.
A cardiologist quoted by Fit&Well says women going through menopause should seek attention for new chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness during everyday activity, and persistent or irregular heartbeats, rather than assuming the symptoms are hormonal. Dr. Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says changes around menopause may coincide with shifts in cardiovascular risk, while stressing that symptoms need assessment to determine their cause.
Jogiya says falling estrogen levels are associated with changes that can affect cardiovascular health, including possible rises in LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as changes in abdominal fat and insulin resistance. He also says aging contributes, and the changes tend to happen gradually. The report does not present new research or quantify the risk for an individual woman.
The three symptoms he highlights are new chest pressure or discomfort, including discomfort that feels like indigestion; becoming breathless during an activity that was previously manageable, such as climbing stairs; and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists or comes with other symptoms. Jogiya notes that a heart attack may involve breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen, as well as chest symptoms.
Palpitations can occur during menopause and may be related to hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety or hot flashes, Jogiya says. But persistent or irregular palpitations, particularly with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, warrant medical assessment. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or a portable heart monitor to investigate a possible rhythm problem, according to the report.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes
The advice matters because menopause symptoms can overlap with signs that merit a heart evaluation. If a person assumes new or worsening symptoms are simply part of menopause, assessment could be delayed. At the same time, the report does not say that these symptoms confirm heart disease: they can have more than one cause, and a health professional is needed to evaluate them.
Jogiya says women with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a smoking history, obesity or a strong family history of premature heart disease may have additional risk factors. He also identifies premature menopause and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension as history worth discussing with a clinician.
His recommendations include regular physical activity, a diet emphasizing vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil, and checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. These are general prevention measures, not substitutes for urgent care when warning signs appear or for a personalized medical plan.
Products Worth Considering
Withings BPM Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Blood Pressure Monitor
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker – Porcelain/Silver
Fitbit Sense Health & Fitness Smartwatch (White/Gold, International Version)
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Menopause and Cardiovascular Changes
The Fit&Well article is an expert-advice report featuring comments from Jogiya, rather than a clinical study, guideline announcement or report of a specific patient event. Its central point is that menopause is relevant to cardiovascular health as well as reproductive health, and that changes may occur alongside aging.
The article distinguishes symptoms that can be common during menopause, such as hot flashes and palpitations, from patterns that should prompt a check. Jogiya advises assessment for new or recurring palpitations, reduced ability to exercise, recurring dizziness or unexplained breathlessness. The supplied material gives no study data, risk estimates, or evidence that menopause alone causes any particular symptom.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr. Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, quoted by Fit&Well
Symptoms Do Not Establish a Diagnosis
The supplied report does not establish how often these symptoms signal heart disease, or how much menopause independently changes a particular woman’s risk. It gives no underlying study results or publication date, and it does not report a new medical guideline. The cause of any individual symptom remains uncertain until assessed by a health professional.
The article also does not give individualized advice based on a reader’s medical history. Women with symptoms that are new, recurring or worsening should contact a clinician; emergency warning signs should not wait for a routine appointment. The examples in the report are not a complete list of possible heart attack symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Care
Jogiya advises calling emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, even if the person is unsure. The report lists new chest pressure or discomfort, especially alongside sweating, nausea or breathlessness, as warning signs. It also advises emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting, and for severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke. The article gives 911 for the United States and 999 for the United Kingdom; readers elsewhere should use their local emergency number.
For non-emergency concerns, the report recommends arranging a medical assessment for new or recurring palpitations, reduced exercise tolerance, repeated dizziness or unexplained breathlessness. It says urgent medical advice is appropriate if symptoms are worsening, or if palpitations accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness or faintness have stopped. A clinician can decide whether tests such as an ECG or portable heart monitor are appropriate.
For prevention, Jogiya recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, adding strength training, eating a heart-conscious diet with less saturated fat and salt, and checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. The report does not set out a follow-up study or scheduled next milestone; its practical next step is discussion with a healthcare professional based on symptoms and personal risk factors.
Key Questions
What three symptoms does the cardiologist say women should watch for?
Dr. Roy Jogiya highlights new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during familiar activities, and persistent or irregular palpitations. These symptoms do not by themselves establish a heart condition, but he says they may need assessment.
Can menopause-related palpitations be harmless?
Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and can be associated with hormonal changes, poor sleep, anxiety or hot flashes. He advises medical assessment when they are persistent or irregular, especially if accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness or faintness.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report says to call emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including for new chest pressure or discomfort with symptoms such as sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also lists palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting, as well as severe breathlessness or collapse, as reasons for emergency help.
What checks does the report recommend discussing with a clinician?
Jogiya recommends checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. For symptoms that may involve heart rhythm, he says a clinician may investigate with an electrocardiogram or a portable heart monitor.
Source: fitandwell.com
