You’re Not Crazy — You’re Not Being Understood - Ep. 72 - I AM YOU

I AM YOU is hosted by Dr. Nitza I. Alvarez, MD, FACC — board-certified cardiologist, Women’s Heart Specialist, and bestselling author. Each episode shares real stories and expert insights to help women protect the heart that carries them through every stage of life — and step into their power as the CEO of their own health.In this episode, Dr. Alvarez addresses a common experience for women entering perimenopause: feeling tired, anxious, disconnected, forgetful, or simply “not like yourself” — only to be told that it is stress, aging, or all in your head.These symptoms are not random, and women are not overreacting. During perimenopause, estrogen does not simply decline. It fluctuates unpredictably, affecting the brain, blood vessels, metabolism, inflammation, and cardiovascular system. This can contribute to brain fog, fatigue, mood changes, anxiety, and heart palpitations.Dr. Alvarez explains why women need to understand the connection between hormonal changes and heart health — and why waiting until something appears on a standard test may mean missing an important opportunity for prevention.With clarity and urgency, she breaks down: • Why perimenopause can begin in a woman’s late 30s or early 40s — sometimes even earlier • Why estrogen fluctuations can affect the brain, heart, blood vessels, and immune system • Why symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, and palpitations are not simply signs of stress or aging • Why up to 42% of perimenopausal women may experience palpitations • How hormonal changes can increase inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular risk • Why standard lab results may not capture what is happening during this transition • Which cardiometabolic markers women should discuss with their doctors, including glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, lipid profiles, ApoB, and lipoprotein(a) • Why body composition matters beyond weight and BMI — including waist circumference, visceral fat, body fat percentage, and lean muscle mass • Why hormonal and thyroid markers should also be considered as part of a more comprehensive evaluationThis episode is a reminder that prevention begins before a heart attack, before permanent damage, and before something abnormal appears on a test. It begins when your body starts signaling that something has changed.You do not need to wait for something to go wrong to take your health seriously. Listen to your body, ask the right questions, and step into your role as the CEO of your own health.Visit NitzaMD.comFollow @NitzaMD on Instagram and Facebook