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Cardiologist Dr. Roy Jogiya says women should not assume new chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness or persistent heart palpitations are menopause symptoms. The Fit&Well report also advises emergency help for warning signs such as chest pain with breathlessness, nausea or faintness; the symptoms require professional assessment, not self-diagnosis.
A Fit&Well report highlights three symptoms women should not automatically attribute to menopause: new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness and persistent or irregular heart palpitations. Cardiologist Dr. Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says these symptoms may need medical assessment because cardiovascular changes can accompany menopause, while some warning signs may indicate an urgent problem.
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 abdominal fat and insulin resistance may develop. He added that these changes occur gradually and that aging also contributes; the report does not establish that menopause alone causes heart disease.
The three symptoms he singled out are chest pressure or discomfort that could be mistaken for indigestion; breathlessness during familiar activities, such as climbing stairs 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.
Palpitations can occur during menopause and may be harmless, Jogiya said. But he advises assessment when they are persistent or irregular, or occur with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness. A clinician may use an electrocardiogram or a portable heart monitor to investigate a possible rhythm problem. New or recurring palpitations, reduced exercise tolerance, recurrent dizziness or unexplained breathlessness are reasons to contact a doctor, according to the report.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Hot Flashes
The report focuses on a practical risk: menopause symptoms can overlap with symptoms that need cardiovascular assessment. A racing heartbeat or breathlessness may have more than one explanation, and the source does not say that any one symptom confirms heart disease. Jogiya’s advice is not to guess whether symptoms are hormonal or cardiac, but to seek appropriate care when they are new, persistent or accompanied by warning signs.
The distinction matters because the report describes some situations as emergencies. It says to call local emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, even when uncertain, and not to wait for symptoms to become severe. In the U.S., the source names 911; in the U.K., 999. Severe breathlessness, collapse and signs of stroke also call for emergency attention, according to Jogiya.
Jogiya identifies high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a strong family history of premature heart disease as risk factors. He also flags premature menopause and pregnancy-related conditions, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension. These are risk markers in his account, not a diagnosis for any individual reader.
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Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
The report frames menopause as a time when cardiovascular risk factors may change, rather than as a diagnosis of heart disease. Jogiya says declining estrogen can affect blood vessels and cholesterol, while aging contributes too. The source offers no study data, estimates of how common these changes are, or evidence that separates the effects of menopause from other influences.
As prevention, Jogiya recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, alongside strength training; a diet that includes vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil while limiting saturated fat and salt; and checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. These are his general recommendations as quoted in the report, not individualized medical instructions.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr. Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK
Symptoms Do Not Confirm Heart Disease
The report does not provide clinical study findings, quantify the added cardiovascular risk associated with menopause, or say how often these symptoms reflect a heart condition rather than another cause. Symptoms alone cannot determine the cause; an examination and, where appropriate, testing are needed. The report also does not specify an individual risk level or give a timeline for when menopause-related changes occur.
Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and often harmless, but the source does not define how long a symptom must last to count as persistent. It also does not offer a complete list of possible causes. Readers with new, worsening or concerning symptoms should seek professional assessment rather than rely on this report to diagnose them.
When to Seek Medical Assessment
For suspected heart attack symptoms, call the local emergency number rather than waiting to see if they pass. The report specifically points to new chest pressure or discomfort, especially when accompanied by 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.
For symptoms that are not an emergency but are new or recurring, arrange a medical assessment, particularly for unexplained breathlessness, reduced ability to exercise, recurring dizziness or palpitations. A clinician can decide whether tests such as an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor are appropriate. The report’s prevention steps include regular activity, dietary changes and checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; decisions about care should be discussed with a qualified health professional.
Key Questions
What three symptoms does the cardiologist say not to ignore?
Dr. Roy Jogiya identifies new chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness during familiar activities, and persistent or irregular palpitations. These symptoms do not prove that someone has a heart condition, but he says they may warrant assessment.
Can menopause cause heart palpitations?
Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and often harmless. He advises medical assessment when they are persistent or irregular, or happen alongside chest pain, breathlessness or faintness.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling local emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, including for new chest pressure or discomfort with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also lists palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, as well as severe breathlessness or collapse, as reasons for emergency attention.
What heart-health checks does the report recommend?
Jogiya recommends having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. The report also describes regular moderate exercise, strength training and a diet with vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil as general prevention measures.
Source: fitandwell.com
