Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

Ep. 474 How Menopause Impacts Heart Health with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

Jun 14, 2025

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and founder of Well12, discusses the critical intersection of menopause and heart health. He highlights how hormonal changes elevate women's cardiovascular risks and advocates for recognizing inflammation and oxidative stress as key factors in heart disease. Dr. Bhojraj emphasizes the importance of advanced lipid testing over traditional methods, the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy, and the necessity of personalized approaches to heart health during menopause.

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INSIGHT

Menopause Elevates Heart Disease Risk

Heart disease risk in women significantly increases during perimenopause and menopause due to estrogen loss.
This hormonal change accelerates cardiovascular disease progression beyond the normal aging process.

INSIGHT

Estrogen's Role in Endothelium Health

The endothelium is an active organ regulating blood pressure and inflammation, not just a passive vessel lining.
Declining estrogen reduces nitric oxide, leading to endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk.

ADVICE

HRT Benefits Beyond Symptoms

Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) even if menopause symptoms are minimal or absent.
Oxidative stress and inflammation occur beneath the surface despite lack of obvious symptoms.

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Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a board-certified interventional cardiologist turned functional medicine pioneer. After 15 years in conventional medicine, Dr. B realized that true healing goes beyond prescriptions alone and founded Well12, a transformational health program that helps millions rethink what it means to be healthy.

In today’s conversation, the first in a series of discussions with Dr. B, we dive into the progression of heart disease in perimenopause and menopause, discussing the impact of the Women’s Health Initiative, the physiology of the heart and blood vessels, endothelial dysfunction, high blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammation. We also explore the limitations of the standard lipid panel, advanced cardiovascular testing, statins as primary prevention, microvascular dysfunction in women, heart rate variability, wearables, and the autonomic nervous system.

You won’t want to miss this invaluable discussion with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, and I look forward to having him back for a follow-up episode later this summer.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

The need for doctors to recognize the risk of heart disease in women, especially during menopause
How nitric oxide maintains cardiovascular health and regulates blood pressure
Why atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process and not just plaque buildup
Addressing inflammation and oxidative stress
Benefits of HRT for improving women’s cardiovascular health
Advanced lipid testing reveals more about heart disease risk than standard cholesterol panels
What cardiologists are looking for when they do stress tests
The challenges of treating microvascular dysfunction in women with medical interventions
How heart rate variability can improve cardiovascular health
How lifestyle changes and mindset interventions can lessen cardiovascular risk

Bio: Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj is a board-certified Interventional Cardiologist turned Functional Medicine pioneer. After 15 years in conventional practice, he realized that true healing is not found in prescriptions alone—it’s in the power of food, sleep, movement, and breath. He’s the founder of Well12, a transformational health program, and a leading voice online where his viral content is helping millions rethink what it means to be healthy.

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