| Menopause and High Blood Pressure | | | | women increases by about 5 mm Hg. |
| It has often been said that High Blood Pressure is | | | | These increases can be attributed to a number of |
| very much an equal opportunity disease and | | | | factors partly related to potential increased salt |
| condition in that it is just as likely to affect | | | | sensitivity and potential weight gain that in turn |
| women as it is men. | | | | are associated with Hormone changes that occur |
| The surprising nature of High Blood Pressure and | | | | during menopause. Sadly, Hormone Replacement |
| it's affect on women is that three out of very | | | | Therapy (HRT) that many women either |
| four women with high blood pressure are aware | | | | undertake voluntarily or have prescribed for them |
| of the fact that they have it but research has | | | | may also contribute to increases in blood pressure. |
| shown that less than one out of every three | | | | An additional factor to take into consideration |
| women are making any attempt to control their | | | | here also is that women who are over 50 who |
| high blood pressure. | | | | also take HRT may also have a small increase on |
| I guess as far as Women and High Blood Pressure | | | | average systolic pressure (1-2 mm Hg). These |
| are concerned the debate falls pretty much into | | | | women are 25 percent more likely to suffer from |
| two topics: Menopause and High Blood Pressure | | | | high blood pressure than are women who don't |
| and is there a connection and High Blood Pressure | | | | take HRT. |
| and Pregnancy. This article will attempt to consider | | | | The important aspect to remember in all of this is |
| the relationship between the Menopause and | | | | that there are steps that can be taken to control |
| HighBlood Pressure. | | | | any onset of high blood pressure after the |
| These are two key occurrences in a Woman's | | | | menopause. Basically these revolve around various |
| life? How do I know? Firstly I am a father and I | | | | basic lifestyle changes that can bring a |
| well remember (fondly) the entire period of my | | | | tremendous benefit. |
| wife's pregnancy and all that entailed. The second | | | | You would not realise how much benefit you |
| subject? Well let's just say I know (at the risk of | | | | could achieve from reducing Sodium in your diet, |
| incurring the ire of "she who must be obeyed") | | | | increase the level of physical activity, generally |
| and leave it at that. | | | | aim to keep to a fairly healthy diet i.e. lost of |
| The Menopause and High Blood Pressure is | | | | fresh fruit and vegetables etc and cutting back |
| probably a combination of the "big guy upstairs" | | | | and being sensible with the time honoured twin |
| reminding us that life really isn't fair and if having | | | | vices of Alcohol and Tobacco! |
| to come to terms with a whole series of | | | | It is important to realise however that not all |
| unfortunate physical changes isn't enough then | | | | cases of high blood pressure are going to be dealt |
| along comes high blood pressure to boot when | | | | with successfully just through lifestyle changes. |
| you least expect it! | | | | Sometimes that just isn't possible and medication |
| So what does it all entail? Does the onset of the | | | | has an important bearing on these matters also. |
| menopause affect high blood pressure? | | | | Of the wide range of medication available for the |
| Before the menopause, women tend to have | | | | treatment of high blood pressure, in these cases |
| slightly lower diastolic pressure and systolic | | | | diuretics have shown to be extremely effective |
| pressure than the men do. As has been | | | | as many women have reported that incidences of |
| mentioned on quite a few occasions, it is after | | | | general fluid retention tend to rise with the onset |
| the menopause that the systolic pressure in | | | | of the menopause. |