| Medical experts will agree that women tend to | | | | have a greater increase in blood pressure than |
| have higher blood pressure and a greater risk of | | | | those who do not. Women over 50 years of age |
| excessively high blood pressure after the | | | | who take HRT are likely to have an increase in |
| menopause. However, many have claimed that | | | | systolic pressure that is 1 or 2mm Hg greater |
| this is due merely to ageing and weight gain, | | | | than other women going through the menopause. |
| rather than the menopause itself. Recent research | | | | They are 25% more likely to suffer from high |
| has proved conclusively that, once these other | | | | blood pressure than women that do not use HRT. |
| factors are accounted for, menopause does | | | | - Controlling blood pressure after the menopause |
| indeed place women at a greater risk of | | | | There are some lifestyle changes that you can |
| developing high blood pressure. | | | | make to reduce your risk of developing high blood |
| - How does menopause affect blood pressure? | | | | pressure after the menopause. You may not be |
| The latest thinking is that oestrogen, which | | | | able to avoid high blood pressure altogether but |
| decreases during menopause, plays a protective | | | | you may be able to control it and reduce your |
| role in maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Before | | | | need for medical treatment by following this |
| the menopause, women tend to have a slightly | | | | advice. |
| lower diastolic pressure and systolic pressure than | | | | - Get moving as regular exercise can reduce |
| men, but studies have shown that with the | | | | blood pressure |
| dramatic drop in oestrogen which comes with the | | | | - Check the amount of sodium in your food and |
| menopause, women's systolic pressure increases | | | | choose low sodium alternatives |
| by an average of 5mm Hg. | | | | - If you are a smoker now is the time to stop |
| As well as being directly responsible for an | | | | - Limit your alcohol intake as this can contribute to |
| increase in blood pressure, changes in hormone | | | | high blood pressure |
| levels during menopause can have other effects | | | | If you do find that you need medical treatment |
| which can cause a greater risk of high blood | | | | to control your blood pressure, there are many |
| pressure. These include hormone related weight | | | | options available to you, and continuous progress |
| gain and increased salt sensitivity. | | | | in this field will only expand the possible |
| - Contribution of Hormone Replacement Therapy | | | | treatments. A hormone therapy is currently being |
| to increased blood pressure | | | | developed in Europe that may be more effective |
| There is some evidence to suggest that women | | | | at controlling high blood pressure in post |
| who take Hormone Replacement Therapy to | | | | menopausal women than traditional high blood |
| control the symptoms of menopause are likely to | | | | pressure medications. |