Ever feel like your body is staging a rebellion? Persistent fatigue, brain fog that won’t lift, unwanted weight gain, mood swings that rival a soap opera, or struggling to get quality sleep? Before you blame it on Mercury retrograde, take a closer look at your diet and daily habits.

February is Heart Health Month, and while the stores are filled with chocolates and heart-shaped everything, let’s talk about the heart that actually keeps you alive. The one that, unfortunately, starts acting a little extra once perimenopause and menopause roll around.

Yep, if you thought hot flashes and mood swings were the worst of it, buckle up, because our hormones have another surprise: they mess with our hearts too.