Perimenopause and Heart Health Livestream

Описание: On Thursday, February 26, 2026, a panel of experts from University of Michigan Health discussed perimenopause and its impact on cardiovascular health.

Panelists included:
• Stacy Willner, D.O., a cardiologist with a focus on heart failure and cardio-obstetrics
• John Randolph, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist, with a subspecialty in reproductive endocrinology
• Catherine Kim, M.D., a general medicine physician with a focus on menopause, including cardiovascular-related research

Below, you can jump to specific questions answered during the livestream.

AWARENESS/CAUSES
7:05: To start, can we get a simple explanation of what perimenopause is?
8:28: How does perimenopause affect your body overall, and in what ways can perimenopause affect your heart specifically?
11:37: Can perimenopause cause heart palpitations and, if so, why?
13:57: Is there any correlation between perimenopause and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), palpitations and higher heart rates?
14:52: Does perimenopause cause rapid heart rate and how does this differ from heart palpitations?

SYMPTOMS
17:42: What symptoms might you experience if your heart is being affected by perimenopause?
19:23: From a primary care perspective, what signs of perimenopause are you looking for in patients?
22:18: Are heart palpitations common in perimenopause? Can they be a sign of perimenopause?
23:25: During perimenopause, when falling estrogen increases cardiovascular risk, how does someone recognize atypical heart attack signs like fatigue, shortness of breath, or jaw pain?

RESEARCH
24:54: Dr. Kim, a lot of your work focuses on menopause, including cardiovascular-related research. What can you tell us about recent studies and how perimenopause, or other phases of menopause, affect cardiovascular health?

TREATMENTS
27:12: How, if at all, are heart rhythm issues treated during perimenopause?
28:22: Is there a way to stop hormonal heart palpitations naturally?
29:20: Is hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, for heart health? What are the heart-related benefits as well as the heart-related risks to consider?
32:42: What risks and/or benefits does an estradiol patch have on women’s cardiac health during perimenopause?
34:16: When is HRT safest and most effective?
35:59: Who should not use HRT?
38:07: Should someone going through perimenopause see a cardiologist?
39:49: I am a family doctor and large promoter of HRT for my patients. Some studies suggest a target estradiol level. Do any of you practice with a goal estradiol less than 60 for cardiovascular benefit?

PREVENTION
41:05: How can you prevent other cardiovascular risks, like higher cholesterol/blood pressure and plaque buildup, related to perimenopause?
44:04: Are there specific dietary or exercise adjustments women should make during this stage (perimenopause)?

GENERAL
45:11: I’ve read that some studies suggest women of color may experience menopause differently or earlier. What does the research actually show?
47:36: In the grand scheme of things, where does heart health concern lie for people going through the perimenopause transition period? Is everyone going through this affected?
50:20: Once you hit menopause, are your concerns over? How might perimenopause and menopause or post-menopause phases differ in their effect on your heart and body?
53:01: Any closing thoughts or remarks? Or do you think there’s anything we’ve missed?