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Cardiologist Dr Roy Jogiya says women should not assume new chest discomfort, breathlessness during familiar activities or persistent irregular or racing heartbeats are simply menopause symptoms. The symptoms can have different causes, and the source report advises emergency help for possible heart attack symptoms or palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or faintness.
A Fit&Well report has highlighted three symptoms that cardiologist Dr Roy Jogiya says women should not automatically dismiss during menopause: new chest discomfort, breathlessness during ordinary activities and persistent or irregular palpitations. Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, says the symptoms can warrant medical assessment, while some combinations may call for emergency care.
Jogiya told Fit&Well that falling estrogen levels during menopause can be associated with changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, abdominal fat and insulin resistance. He also said aging contributes to cardiovascular changes, which can develop gradually. The report presents these as reasons to pay attention to heart health during menopause, not as proof that any particular symptom is caused by menopause or heart disease.
The first symptom is new chest pressure or discomfort, which may feel like indigestion rather than the severe pain people often associate with a heart attack. Jogiya said women may also experience breathlessness, nausea, sweating, unusual fatigue, or discomfort in the jaw, back or upper abdomen. The report advises calling emergency services if a heart attack is suspected, even if the person is unsure; readers should use their local emergency number.
The other signs are new breathlessness during familiar activity and a racing or irregular heartbeat that persists. A change such as becoming unexpectedly short of breath on stairs or during usual exercise should be assessed, Jogiya said. Palpitations can be common during menopause and may be harmless, but persistent episodes or palpitations accompanied by chest pain, breathlessness, faintness or fainting need prompt attention. A clinician may investigate with an electrocardiogram or a portable heart monitor, according to the report.
When Menopause Symptoms Need Attention
The practical issue is that menopause-related experiences and heart symptoms can overlap. Hot flashes, anxiety and disrupted sleep may make a heartbeat more noticeable, Jogiya said, but that does not establish the cause of persistent palpitations or new changes in exercise tolerance. Treating every symptom as hormonal could delay assessment; assuming every palpitation signals heart disease would also go beyond what the report establishes.
The report urges readers to respond to symptoms according to their severity and combination. Chest discomfort with sweating, nausea or breathlessness, palpitations with chest pain or faintness, severe breathlessness, collapse, or possible stroke signs are reasons to seek emergency help. New or recurring palpitations, unexplained breathlessness, recurrent dizziness or reduced ability to exercise are reasons to contact a doctor. This guidance is not a diagnosis; medical professionals can assess an individual’s symptoms and risks.
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Heart Risks Around Menopause
Jogiya described menopause as a cardiovascular milestone as well as a reproductive one, while noting that age also affects cardiovascular health. The source report does not say that menopause alone causes heart disease or that the three symptoms prove a heart problem. It frames the hormonal changes as part of a broader picture that may include blood pressure, cholesterol and metabolic factors.
The report identifies hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and a strong family history of premature heart disease as risk factors to discuss with a clinician. Jogiya also pointed to premature menopause and pregnancy-related conditions—including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-related hypertension—as relevant cardiovascular risk markers. He recommends regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, alongside a heart-supportive diet and physical activity. The report cites a target of 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week and strength training, but individual plans may need to account for health and ability.
“Menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone; it’s a cardiovascular one, too.”
— Dr Roy Jogiya, chief medical advisor at Heart Research UK, as quoted by Fit&Well
Symptoms Alone Cannot Identify the Cause
The report does not provide new clinical research, population-level statistics or an assessment of how often these symptoms indicate a heart condition. It also cannot determine the cause of an individual’s chest discomfort, breathlessness or palpitations. Menopause can be associated with changes in heart health, but other medical conditions may produce similar symptoms.
Jogiya’s comments are general guidance reported by Fit&Well, not a personal diagnosis. The source does not specify a publication date, and it does not give an individual reader’s medical history or risk profile. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek advice based on their circumstances; symptoms suggesting a heart attack or another emergency should not be delayed while trying to decide whether hormones are responsible.
Medical Assessment and Prevention Steps
For readers with new, recurring or worsening symptoms, the next step described in the report is to contact a healthcare professional; emergency symptoms call for local emergency services. Clinicians may review symptoms and risk factors and, where appropriate, use an electrocardiogram or portable heart monitor to investigate palpitations. The report does not set a timeline for follow-up or describe a specific new screening programme.
Jogiya recommends checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, adding strength training, and choosing foods such as vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil while limiting saturated fat and salt. These are general prevention suggestions from the source, not a substitute for individualized medical advice. People with existing conditions or concerns about starting exercise should discuss an appropriate plan with a healthcare professional.
Key Questions
Which three symptoms does the cardiologist say women should not dismiss?
Dr Roy Jogiya points to new chest discomfort, unexpected breathlessness during familiar activity, and persistent or irregular palpitations. They can have different causes, so the report recommends medical assessment rather than assuming they are hormonal.
When should someone call emergency services?
The report advises calling the local emergency number if a heart attack is suspected, including for new chest pressure or discomfort, particularly with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. It also says palpitations with chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness or fainting, as well as severe breathlessness or collapse, require emergency attention.
Are palpitations during menopause always a sign of heart disease?
No. Jogiya says palpitations are common during menopause and are often harmless; hormonal fluctuations, disrupted sleep, anxiety and hot flashes can make the heartbeat more noticeable. Persistent or irregular episodes, especially with other concerning symptoms, should be assessed.
What health checks and habits does the report recommend?
Jogiya recommends checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, along with regular moderate exercise and strength training. He also suggests a diet including vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and olive oil, with less saturated fat and salt. Individual advice should account for a person’s health and circumstances.
Source: fitandwell.com
