Hot flashes, insomnia, loss of bone density and weight gain are just some of the unpleasant symptoms suffered by many women going through menopause. However, one of the commonly overlooked and potentially more serious health consequences of menopause is an increased risk of high blood pressure or hypertension. Approximately a third of deaths worldwide are related to high blood pressure and as sufferers may remain symptom free for many years, the condition often goes untreated until serious damage to major organs has already occurred. If ignored high blood pressure can lead to diseases such as stroke, kidney failure and blindness.
Whilst up until around the age of fifty, men are at a significantly greater risk of suffering high blood pressure, current research suggests women face a greater risk of developing the disease after fifty - around the average age a woman enters menopause. This elevated risk of high blood pressure in turn increases a woman’s risk of stroke as well as heart disease, the latter being the number one killer of middle-aged and older women.
Why the increased risk?
The reason why menopausal women are at increased risk of developing hypertension is not altogether clear. Some research associates the elevated risk with the hormonal changes brought on by menopause, in particular a dramatic decrease in the production of the female hormone estrogen. Estrogen affects many parts of a woman’s body, including the blood vessels and heart, and it is this loss of estrogen that is believed to be the cause of many of the symptoms associated with menopause. In fact, women going through menopause can experience a loss of elasticity in the carotid artery, the aorta and other large arteries in the heart. This loss of elasticity makes it more difficult for the arterial wall to expand and contract with each heart beat and over time this failure can lead to an enlargement of the heart, in turn leading to high blood pressure. Cholesterol profiles also change quite dramatically at the time of menopause with increased levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Another theory suggests the weight gain that commonly occurs in menopausal women may play a greater role than the hormonal changes. Further studies report an increase in alcohol consumption and smoking amongst menopausal and post-menopausal women, both of which are known risk factors for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Another popular theory is that all these factors may work in combination to increase a woman’s chances of developing high blood pressure later in life.
Reducing the risk
The good news for the majority of women entering menopause is that simple lifestyle changes during and after this stage can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure. For example, a forty minute walk per day can help improve the elasticity of the arteries as well as help in controlling weight gain, both of which have been proven to lower the risk of hypertension. Giving up smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and eating a low salt diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and lean protein are all simple yet effective ways of lowering blood pressure. Taking time out of the day to relax through activities such as yoga and meditation has also been proven to be an effective way of lowering the risk of developing high blood pressure. As well as these simple lifestyle changes, experts advise women entering menopause and those who have already gone through this stage to see their healthcare practitioner annually for a full physical exam so that any health issues can be identified and treated.
Joanna White - I am an Australian based freelance writer with a diverse background in law, broadcasting and teaching.I have recently returned from seven ...
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