High Blood Pressure & Menopause

Women who are entering menopause or are post-menopausal have special concerns about the changes going on in their bodies. High blood pressure is a disease that affects more than 73 million individuals in the United States. By understanding the role that menopause plays in high blood pressure, women can take the steps necessary to ensure good health.

Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is defined as the amount of force being placed on the walls of the arteries as the heart beats and as it rests. For adults, a reading of 120/80 mm Hg is considered in the normal range. When blood pressure exceeds this value, hypertension begins to develop and places an increased demand on the heart. This can lead to heart attack, stroke and damage to other organs such as the kidneys. This "silent killer" becomes more prevalent among women over the age of 55, an age in which most women have entered menopause.

Estrogen's Role

• Estrogen has a beneficial effect on women's bodies prior to menopause as it helps maintain flexible blood vessels. Estrogen also provides a level of anti-inflammatory protection that also contributes to keeping blood pressure low. Estrogen has a positive effect on controlling cholesterol by increasing HDL, or "good" cholesterol, while lowering the "bad" LDL cholesterol. These combined factors reduce the incidence of high blood pressure in women who have not entered menopause.

Reduction in Estrogen

• During the transition into and through menopause, the ovaries begin to produce less and less estrogen. This lower estrogen level is the primary reason for the symptoms of menopause such as mood swings, hot flashes and sleeping difficulties. As estrogen levels drop, so too do the natural benefits of lower blood pressure that this hormone provides for women.

Estrogen Replacement

• Prior to 2002, estrogen therapy was commonly prescribed for post-menopausal women solely for the purpose of providing protection from heart disease and osteoporosis. But strategies changed following the results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study that found estrogen therapy actually increased the risk of heart disease and stroke among post-menopausal women.

Healthy Lifestyles for Menopausal Women

• Women who have reached menopause can reduce their risks of high blood pressure and heart disease by knowing their current blood pressure and having it checked regularly. Good eating habits and weight control become even more important now that the protective benefits of estrogen are reduced. Keep salt intake low and eat more vegetables, fruits and whole-grain, fiber-rich foods. Exercise regularly and consult with your doctor if your blood pressure is high or approaching the upper levels of what is considered healthy.