TL;DR
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Cardiologist Dr. Roy Jogiya says menopause-related changes can affect cardiovascular risk, and advises women not to dismiss new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent irregular or racing heartbeats as hormonal symptoms. His guidance is based on an interview with Fit&Well; symptoms can have other causes, and medical assessment is needed to determine what is happening.
Cardiologist Dr. Roy Jogiya has urged women going through menopause not to assume that new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent palpitations are simply hormonal symptoms. In an interview with Fit&Well, he said those changes can require medical assessment, while chest symptoms or palpitations accompanied by warning signs may call for emergency care.
Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, said falling estrogen levels during menopause can affect blood vessels and cholesterol regulation. He said LDL cholesterol may rise and blood pressure may increase, while abdominal fat and insulin resistance can also develop. These changes occur gradually, he said, and aging also contributes; the interview does not quantify the effects or establish that menopause alone causes heart disease.
The three symptoms he highlighted are new chest pressure or discomfort, particularly if it resembles indigestion; becoming breathless during familiar daily activities or exercise; and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists. Jogiya said heart attack symptoms in women can also include breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. Symptoms vary, and the interview is not a diagnosis of any individual’s condition.
He said palpitations can be common during menopause and may be associated with hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety or hot flashes. But recurring or persistent episodes, especially with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, should be assessed. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate a possible rhythm problem, according to the report.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes
The report highlights a risk of mistaking potentially serious symptoms for menopause or anxiety. That does not mean every palpitation or instance of breathlessness signals heart disease: the symptoms can have multiple causes. It does mean that new, recurring or worsening symptoms should not be dismissed without considering medical advice.
Jogiya singled out women with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a smoking history, obesity or a strong family history of early heart disease as having particular risk factors. He also identified premature menopause and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related high blood pressure as markers worth discussing with a health professional.
For readers, the practical point is to notice changes from their usual baseline and share them with a clinician. Prompt attention matters most when symptoms suggest a possible emergency; routine prevention can also identify cardiovascular risk factors before symptoms appear.
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Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
The Fit&Well report presents Jogiya’s clinical guidance rather than results from a new study or a change to formal medical guidelines. He described menopause as a cardiovascular milestone as well as a reproductive one, while also noting that aging contributes to changes in risk. The source does not provide study data, estimates of individual risk, or evidence that a particular symptom is caused by menopause.
Alongside symptom awareness, Jogiya recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, strength training, and a diet featuring vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil, with less saturated fat and salt. He also advised checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. These are general prevention suggestions reported from the interview, not a substitute for a personalized care plan.
“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
When Symptoms Need Individual Assessment
The report does not establish how often these symptoms indicate heart disease or provide a way for readers to distinguish a cardiac cause from menopause, anxiety or another condition. Only an appropriate clinical assessment can help identify the cause. It also gives no publication date, study methodology or new national guidance.
Symptoms and risk vary from person to person. The source advises emergency services for suspected heart attack, severe breathlessness, collapse, signs of stroke, or palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting. Its references to 911 and 999 reflect the locations cited in the article; readers should use their local emergency number. This article is not medical advice, and people with concerns should contact a qualified health professional.
Discuss Changes With a Clinician
Women noticing new or recurring palpitations, unexplained breathlessness, recurrent dizziness or reduced ability to exercise should arrange a medical assessment, Jogiya advised. Worsening symptoms or episodes involving chest pain, breathlessness or faintness warrant urgent medical advice, even if they have since stopped. For an immediate emergency, contact local emergency services rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
For prevention, the next steps described in the report are to discuss blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks with a health professional and consider exercise and dietary habits in light of personal health needs. No follow-up study, policy change or additional medical guidance was announced in the source material.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms did the cardiologist highlight?
Dr. Roy Jogiya highlighted new chest discomfort, breathlessness during familiar activity or exercise, and persistent racing or irregular heartbeats. These symptoms can have different causes and do not by themselves confirm heart disease.
Are palpitations during menopause always a sign of a heart problem?
No. Jogiya said palpitations can be common during menopause and may be associated with hormonal fluctuations, poor sleep, anxiety or hot flashes. Persistent or recurring palpitations, particularly with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness, should be assessed by a health professional.
When should someone seek emergency help?
The report advises contacting local emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including with new chest pressure or discomfort, especially alongside sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also identifies palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting, severe breathlessness, collapse and signs of stroke as emergency warning signs.
What preventive steps did Jogiya recommend?
He recommended aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, adding strength training, choosing a heart-healthy diet with vegetables and whole grains, and checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Individual plans should be discussed with a qualified health professional.
Source: fitandwell.com
