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Cardiologist Roy Jogiya says menopause-related changes can affect cardiovascular risk, and women should not assume new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or persistent palpitations are hormonal. His advice is based on clinical guidance in a Fit&Well report; symptoms alone cannot establish a diagnosis, and emergency warning signs require urgent attention.
A cardiologist has urged women going through menopause not to dismiss new chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness or persistent irregular or racing heartbeats as hormonal symptoms alone. Dr Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, told Fit&Well that these changes may warrant medical assessment, while some combinations of symptoms can require emergency care.
Jogiya said falling estrogen levels during menopause can affect blood vessels and cholesterol regulation. He told Fit&Well that LDL cholesterol can 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 report does not quantify an individual woman’s risk or establish that menopause itself caused any particular symptom.
The first symptom he identified is new chest pressure or discomfort, which may feel like indigestion rather than the severe chest pain often associated with a heart attack. Jogiya also named breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, and discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen as possible accompanying symptoms. He advised that chest discomfort should not automatically be attributed to menopause.
A change in exercise tolerance is another reason to seek assessment: for example, suddenly becoming breathless while climbing stairs or doing an activity that was previously manageable. The third concern is a persistent racing or irregular heartbeat, particularly when it occurs with breathlessness, chest pain, faintness or fainting. Jogiya said clinicians may use an electrocardiogram or a portable heart monitor to investigate a possible rhythm problem. The report distinguishes these warning signs from palpitations that can occur around menopause and may be harmless.
Recognizing Symptoms Beyond Menopause
The practical concern is that familiar menopausal experiences, including hot flashes, disrupted sleep and anxiety, may make it tempting to explain away a new or worsening symptom. Jogiya’s advice is not that every palpitation or episode of breathlessness signals heart disease; it is that a meaningful change should be judged in context and assessed rather than assumed to be hormonal.
That distinction can affect how quickly someone seeks care. The report advises calling emergency services for suspected heart attack symptoms, including new chest pressure especially alongside sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also identifies palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, severe breathlessness, collapse and signs of stroke as emergencies. Readers should follow local emergency guidance and not wait for symptoms to become severe if they think they may be having a heart attack.
Jogiya said people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, a smoking history, obesity or a strong family history may be at higher risk. He also pointed to premature menopause and certain pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension, as cardiovascular risk markers. These factors do not prove someone has heart disease, but they can inform a conversation with a clinician.
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Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk
Jogiya described menopause as both a reproductive and cardiovascular milestone because hormonal changes occur alongside aging and can coincide with changes in cholesterol, blood pressure and body composition. The Fit&Well report presents his explanation and clinical advice; it is not a study reporting new measurements, a trial, or a formal guideline from a health authority.
For prevention, Jogiya recommended aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, adding strength training, and choosing a heart-healthy diet that includes vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil while limiting saturated fat and salt. He also advised checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar so potential problems can be identified and treated. These are general measures in the report, not a personalised plan for every reader.
His central message was that women should not have to guess whether a symptom is hormonal or cardiac. The report does not say menopause inevitably causes heart disease, nor does it suggest that lifestyle steps can replace assessment of concerning symptoms.
“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
Symptoms Do Not Confirm a Diagnosis
The report does not provide a study, patient data or an estimate of how often these symptoms during menopause are caused by heart disease. Chest discomfort, breathlessness and palpitations can have different causes; a symptom list cannot determine the cause for an individual. Jogiya says testing, which may include an electrocardiogram or portable monitor for palpitations, can help clinicians investigate.
The source material also does not give the report’s publication date, identify specific medical guidelines behind its recommendations, or say how individual risk varies by age, menopause stage or medical history. Readers with new, recurring or worsening symptoms should seek professional advice; suspected emergencies should be handled through local emergency services.
When to Seek Medical Care
For suspected heart attack symptoms, the report advises calling emergency services rather than waiting to see whether symptoms pass. It gives 911 in the United States and 999 in the United Kingdom as examples. Emergency help is also advised for palpitations accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, as well as severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of stroke.
For non-emergency concerns, Jogiya recommends arranging a medical assessment for new or recurring palpitations, reduced ability to exercise, recurrent dizziness or unexplained breathlessness. He also advises contacting a clinician urgently if symptoms are worsening, or if palpitations previously occurred with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness even if they have stopped. The next step for an individual will depend on their symptoms and medical history; the report does not outline a universal testing schedule.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the cardiologist say should not be dismissed?
Dr Roy Jogiya identifies new chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness during everyday activity or exercise, and persistent racing or irregular heartbeats. Their presence does not by itself establish a heart problem, but he says they may warrant assessment.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling emergency services for suspected heart attack symptoms, including new chest pressure, especially with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also lists palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath or faintness, severe breathlessness, collapse and signs of stroke as emergencies.
Can menopause-related palpitations be harmless?
Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and can be harmless, with hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety and hot flashes making the heartbeat more noticeable. Persistent or irregular palpitations, particularly with other warning symptoms, should be assessed.
What checks does the report recommend for heart health?
Jogiya recommends having blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. For palpitations, a clinician may use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor, depending on the person’s symptoms and circumstances.
What lifestyle measures does the cardiologist suggest?
He recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, including strength training, eating a heart-healthy diet with vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, and limiting saturated fat and salt. These are general recommendations; individual medical decisions should be discussed with a qualified health professional.
Source: fitandwell.com
