How Are Menopause And High Blood Pressure Connected?
Blood pressure increases after menopause and so does the risk of high blood pressure. There has been some debate about whether these sudden changes in blood pressure are truly due to menopause or are a consequence of age and weight gain. But after taking these factors into consideration, researchers have found that postmenopausal women are at higher risk of high blood pressure than are premenopausal women. This suggests that estrogen may play a protective part in blood pressure.
Before menopause, women have slightly lower diastolic pressure and systolic pressure than men do. After menopause, systolic pressure in women increases by about 5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Menopause-related increases in blood pressure can be attributed in part to increased salt sensitivity and weight gain that are in turn associated with sudden hormone changes during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause also may contribute to increases in blood pressure. Women older than age 50 who take HRT may have a small increase — usually 1 to 2 mm Hg — in systolic blood pressure. These women are also 25 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than are women who don't take HRT.
You can take steps to control high blood pressure after menopause. Lifestyle changes can help avoid, delay or reduce the need for medications.