Women and Blood Pressure

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but some people are more at risk than others. Men have high blood pressure more often than women, in the early and middle adult years, but that changes once a woman reaches menopause. (Read about "Heart Disease and Women" "Menopause")

In fact, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), more post-menopausal women have high blood pressure than men of the same age. In addition, even women who have never had high blood pressure may develop it during pregnancy, according to the American Heart Association. That's why it's important for both men and women to talk with a doctor about high blood pressure and how often they need to be checked.

What does blood pressure measure

Basically, your blood pressure is a measure of the force of the blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. (Read about "The Heart & Cardiovascular System") It's measured using two numbers, systolic and diastolic. (Read about "Hypertension: High Blood Pressure") If it's high, that means that the pressure inside your arteries is elevated, much like an over-inflated tire. This condition, also called hypertension, can put someone at a higher risk of developing the following:

• Heart disease - High blood pressure makes the arteries stiffen, leading to a potential build-up of cholesterol and fats. (Read about "Coronary Heart Disease")
• Stroke - Stiff or narrow arteries can mean less blood getting to the brain (Read about "The Brain"), leading to a potential blockage. A blood vessel in the brain can also rupture with high blood pressure leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. (Read about "Stroke")
• Kidney disease - High blood pressure can affect the blood vessels of the kidneys, causing a build-up of fluid and waste (Read about "Kidney Disease" "Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease")

For the average healthy adult woman, the American Heart Association (AHA) says a normal systolic level is under 120 mmHg and a normal diastolic level is under 80 mmHg. Your blood pressure is considered elevated if it is between 120 and 129 mm/Hg systolic pressure and the diastolic number is less than 80. If your systolic number is higher than 129 or your diastolic number is higher than 79, you have high blood pressure.

Although the consequences of high blood pressure can be great, the disease itself often has no symptoms. So the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked by a healthcare professional. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says every woman should have her blood pressure checked yearly. High blood pressure during pregnancy can also be a sign of a serious and potentially fatal condition called preeclampsia. (Read about "Preeclampsia")

Treatment

If you do have high blood pressure, a doctor who knows your medical and family history (Read about "Family Health History") can help determine the best course of treatment. ACOG cautions that medications to treat high blood pressure can have side effects; however, if you think you are having any side effects, talk to your doctor about using a different course of therapy. Do not stop taking your medication on your own. ACOG says it's also important to make sure you keep taking your medication even if you feel fine. This is because even if your high blood pressure is not causing symptoms, it can still damage vital organs in your body. (Read about "Hypertension: High Blood Pressure")

In addition to medication, NHLBI says you may need to make lifestyle changes, which can include:

• achieving and/or maintaining a healthy weight (Read about "Losing Weight")
• increasing physical activity (Read about "Walking for Health")
• choosing foods that are lower in sodium (Read about "Sodium")
• avoiding smoking (Read about "Quit Smoking")
• if you drink, doing so only in moderation (Read about "Alcoholism")

Although some people may find it hard to make the necessary lifestyle changes, dealing with the potential complications caused by high blood pressure can be much worse.

Pregnancy concerns

Although many pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems, high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. However, some women develop high blood pressure while they are pregnant (often called gestational hypertension).

The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother's kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia - or "toxemia of pregnancy" - which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus. (Read about "Preeclampsia")

Related Information

    Woman's Health Terms Glossary