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Fit&Well reports that cardiologist Dr Roy Jogiya identifies new chest discomfort, breathlessness during familiar activities and persistent or irregular heartbeats as symptoms women should not automatically attribute to menopause. The report says these symptoms can have different causes; chest pain with breathlessness, nausea, sweating or faintness may require emergency care.
A Fit&Well report highlights three symptoms during menopause that cardiologist Dr Roy Jogiya says women should not automatically dismiss as hormonal: new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during everyday activity and persistent or irregular heartbeats. The advice matters because some symptoms can signal a heart problem, although the report does not establish that menopause itself is the cause of any individual woman’s symptoms.
Jogiya, identified in the report as chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says falling estrogen levels during menopause can coincide with changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, abdominal fat and insulin resistance. He cautions that these changes develop gradually and that aging also contributes. His comments are medical guidance reported by Fit&Well, not a diagnosis for readers.
The first warning sign is new chest pressure or discomfort, which may feel like indigestion rather than the dramatic chest pain commonly associated with a heart attack. Jogiya says women may also experience breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. New chest symptoms should not be presumed to be menopause-related.
The other symptoms are breathlessness during familiar tasks or exercise and palpitations that persist, feel irregular or occur with other concerning symptoms. A sudden change in how easily someone can climb stairs or complete a usual workout merits assessment, Jogiya says. Palpitations can be common and often harmless during menopause, but those associated with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness warrant medical attention. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate rhythm symptoms.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Menopause
The report addresses a risk of misattributing heart symptoms to hot flashes, anxiety, disrupted sleep or other menopause-related changes. That can make it harder to recognize when a symptom is new or different. Jogiya’s advice is to seek assessment when symptoms change or recur, rather than trying to decide alone whether they are hormonal or cardiac.
Some women have additional cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity or a strong family history of premature heart disease. Jogiya also points to premature menopause and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension as relevant history to share with a health professional. The report does not quantify how much any one factor changes an individual’s risk.
For possible heart attack symptoms, the report advises calling emergency services rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe. It says to seek emergency help for palpitations accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting, as well as severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke. Readers should follow local emergency guidance; the report gives 911 for the United States and 999 for the United Kingdom.
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Estrogen, Aging and Heart Risk
The report’s background is that menopause can coincide with cardiovascular changes. Jogiya links lower estrogen levels with possible rises in LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as changes in abdominal fat and insulin resistance. He also stresses that aging contributes, so the report does not attribute all cardiovascular changes during midlife to menopause alone.
Alongside symptom awareness, Jogiya recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, strength training, and a diet featuring vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, with less saturated fat and salt. He also recommends having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. These are general prevention suggestions in the report, not substitutes for individual medical advice or evaluation of new symptoms.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr Roy Jogiya, cardiologist and chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, as quoted by Fit&Well
Symptoms Need Individual Assessment
The report does not provide a publication date in the supplied material, nor does it present new research, a study sample or data measuring how often these symptoms indicate heart disease. It reports one cardiologist’s guidance. Symptoms alone cannot confirm a heart condition, and palpitations or breathlessness may have causes other than cardiovascular disease.
It is also not possible from the report to determine whether a particular symptom is caused by menopause, aging, another health issue or a combination. The level of concern depends on a person’s symptoms and medical history, which require clinical assessment. The report does not give individualized risk estimates or treatment advice.
When to Seek Medical Care
Anyone who thinks they may be having a heart attack should call local emergency services, particularly for new chest pressure with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. The report also advises emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting, and for severe breathlessness, collapse or stroke signs.
For non-emergency concerns, arrange a medical assessment for new or recurring palpitations, unexplained breathlessness, recurrent dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance. A clinician can decide whether an ECG, portable heart monitor or other evaluation is appropriate. Jogiya also recommends routine checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; the report does not identify a separate forthcoming study or policy milestone.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the report say should not be dismissed?
It identifies new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during familiar activity, and persistent or irregular palpitations—especially when palpitations occur with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness.
Can menopause cause palpitations?
Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and often harmless; hormonal fluctuations, poor sleep, anxiety and hot flashes can make a heartbeat more noticeable. Persistent or irregular palpitations, or palpitations with other warning symptoms, should be assessed.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling local emergency services if a heart attack is possible, including for new chest pressure or discomfort, particularly with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also identifies palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting as an emergency concern.
What routine steps does the cardiologist recommend?
Jogiya recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, strength training, a diet emphasizing vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, and checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. These general suggestions do not replace care for new or concerning symptoms.
Source: fitandwell.com
