In women 40 years of age or older, 60% percent of white women and 76% percent of African-American women have hypertension. It is estimated that 30% percent or greater of elderly women over the age of 65 are diagnosed hypertension. Therefore, as you age your chances of developing high blood pressure increases greatly.
Cardiovascular disease and stroke remain the leading causes of death in women in America. The risk of cardiovascular disease increases after menopause and continues to rise the older you become. Over the past 20 years, the total deaths due to cardiovascular disease have become greater in women than compared to men.
Women taking oral contraceptives or hormone treatment can experience a small but detectable increase in blood pressure, usually in the normal range. If this rise in blood pressure occurs, women should talk to their doctors about a possible cause for the rise in blood pressure and what they can do about it.
Women 35 and older who use tobacco and take oral contraceptives are at an even greater risk for heart disease and stroke. If they are not able to stop smoking, a woman should talk to their practitioner about using a different form of birth control. It is crucial that women who take hormone replacement therapy have their blood pressure checked much more frequently.
Diets that are high in fiber and low in fat tend to have a lower cases of hypertension. Therefore, it is important that you try and eat a healthy diet to aid in the prevention of hypertension. Researchers have found that a combined diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products low in fat can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Not only will this be of benefit to your blood pressure readings, it will let you lose a few pounds, which is also encouraged by physicians that treat in hypertension.
Your weight and your blood pressure are closely related. When your weight increases, your blood pressure often does too. However, being overweight doesn’t always mean that you will have high blood pressure – you can be overweight and have normal blood pressure – but it significantly increases your chances. You do not have to lose a huge amount to lower your blood pressure. Losing as little as 10 pounds may be enough to reduce your blood pressure from borderline to normal. Losing just a little weight can improve your cholesterol level and reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
Research has also found that women develop high blood pressure for the first time in their second trimester of pregnancy. The mother develops toxemia, a condition that can threaten the lives of both the mother and unborn child. High blood pressure can harm the mother’s kidneys and other organs as well as cause a low birth weight baby and premature delivery. Getting medical care for mother and baby early and regularly is very important.
In addition to these, there are other things to help prevent high blood pressure. These include:
- Limit salt intake
- Exercise and getting more active
- Do not smoke
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Managing stress
- Finding the right medications to work for lowering blood pressure
Finding the right ways in managing high blood pressure is essential. It can significantly increase your chances for living a longer, healthier life, despite high blood pressure.
