Menopause and Hypertension

According to the Food and Drug Administration, nearly 65 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure. Rush University Medical Center states that more than half of all women over age 60 have high blood pressure. When left untreated, high blood pressure can cause life-threatening illnesses like kidney problems, stroke, heart attacks and blindness. According to the Mayo Clinic, blood pressure usually increases after menopause.

Defining Hypertension

• Since hypertension may have no obvious symptoms, the only way to know if your blood pressure is too high is to have it checked by a health care provider.

  According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), blood pressure readings consist of the systolic (pressure when your heart beats) and diastolic (pressure when your heart relaxes). A reading of 120/80 or lower is normal blood pressure. A level of 140/90 or higher is high blood pressure.

  When the top number falls between 120 and 139 and the bottom number ranges between 80 and 89, it is defined as prehypertension.

Aging

• As a woman ages, her chances of developing high blood pressure increases. Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of hypertension. According to Harvard Health Publications, hypertension affects only 13 percent of women under age 44, nearly 50 percent of women in their 60s, and 80 percent or more of those over age 75.

Menopause

• According to the American Heart Association, after menopause a woman's chance of developing high blood pressure becomes greater than a man's. That is true even if you have had normal blood pressure throughout your life.

  Harvard Health Publications says after age 55, blood pressure in women (particularly systolic pressure) is apt to rise more severely than it does in men. This may be due at least partially to hormonal changes.

Hormones

• There appears to be a connection between the hormonal and biochemical changes that occur during menopause and high blood pressure.

  The Mayo Clinic says these hormone changes can result in a greater sensitivity to salt and lead to weight gain, which can contribute to high blood pressure.

  In some cases, women who take hormone replacement therapy during and after menopause are more prone to developing blood pressure.

Managing Hypertension

• A variety of self-care measures can help control your blood pressure.

  If you have gained excess weight, set a goal to lose it. Make a point to implement physical activity into your daily schedule.

  Eat nutritious heart-healthy foods, including vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and cut back on sodium. If you smoke, try to quit. Also limit your alcohol consumption or refrain from it entirely.

Medications

• If necessary, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure. The NIH says blood pressure medicines work in varying ways to manage blood pressure. Some (diuretics amiloride (Midamor)m bumetanide (Bumex) lower blood pressure by removing excess fluid and salt from the body.

  Other kinds of medications angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors benazepril/Lotensi captopril/Capoten slow down the heartbeat or have a calming and enlarging effect on blood vessels.