What is the Link Between Menopause and Hypertension?

Do you think that the menopause and hypertension are related? After menopause, most women notice an increase in their blood pressure. As such, most are diagnosed with high blood pressure after menopause symptoms. 

This suggests a relationship between the hormonal and biochemical changes a woman experiences during that phase of her life with the onset of high blood pressure.

Hormonal changes a woman experiences during menopause can leads to an increase to salt sensitivity, loss of energy and a tendency for weight gain. These factors are well known precursor symptoms to high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases a woman's risk to cardiovascular disease and if the weight gain is not stabilized then a woman is faced with a variety of other ailments such as diabetes and an increased risk to strokes.

Another contributor to the increased risk is said to be related to the estrogen hormone level. Estrogen helps keep a woman's blood pressure under control. This has been touted as one of the explanations why men have a tendency to be afflicted with hypertension earlier than women. Estrogen, which men lack, is suspected to keep a woman's carotid artery, aorta, and other large arteries flexible maintaining acceptable blood pressure levels. As a woman enters menopause symptoms her estrogen levels start decreasing and the benefits of the estrogen associated with blood pressure, decrease. 

The arteries lose their elasticity becoming more rigid, making it difficult for the blood vessel wall to expand and contract eventually leading to a higher blood pressure.

Learn About Hypertension in the Elderly

However, the reduced estrogen level theory is still being studied within menopause and hypertension. In a study that appeared in the Journal of Hypertension, researchers questioned the hormonal effect of estrogen in menopause. They argued that the risk of being diagnosed with high blood pressure is not related to decreasing estrogen levels but related to the increase in women's weight as they age and also a general factor of aging. There research did not find that estrogen had any significant role in the changing blood pressure as women go through menopause symptoms.

Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also experience an increase in blood pressure minimally. These treatments however coupled with cigarette smoking can lead to significant changes in their blood pressure. In this case, the risk of suffering cardiovascular disease is increased by a factor of four.

Vascular Ultrasound

Blood pressure for menopausal women increases an average of 5 millimeters of mercury. Postmenopausal women can combat high blood pressure effect naturally. They can do this through diet, exercise, and concentrating on a healthy lifestyle. To avoid a substantial blood pressure rise, woman can start by eating a heart healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.

Additional Tips to Have a Good Blood Pressure

The salt intake should be limited; the use of alcohol and cigarettes should be eliminated. Foods to be avoided include sweets and processed foods. Being overweight can also lead to heightened risk of high blood pressure, therefore women should lose any excess weight. 

If lifestyle adjustments cannot control the high blood pressure, a doctor may write a prescription for medications to lower the blood pressure. Exercising is also very important in menopause and hypertension, it can be as simple as a 40 minute walk a day. This can help shed the excess weight and help retain some of the elasticity of the arteries.

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