MENOPAUSE AND HYPERTENSION
Menopause and hypertension.... fluctuating hormones during menopause can lead to weight gain which can lead to the onset of hypertension. The onset of hypertension during menopause can cause additional concerns to women's health.
Hypertension is labeled as the "silent killer". It falls under cardiovascular diseases which are the most common and one of the most serious complications of menopause.
Is There a Relationship Between Menopause and Hypertension?
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common and one of the most serious complications of menopause and hypertension or high blood pressure is one of these. What makes this complication so serious is that the person having it does not have any idea that they are already hypertensive and it is often accompanied by no symptoms. No wonder, hypertension is labeled as the “silent killer”.
When you hear hypertension, what comes to mind? Yes sure, a very serious illness, quite a silent killer to most people and among both men and women. Oh no, what is the connection between menopause and hypertension? What happens in menopause that could increase the risk of hypertension? Will hypertension get worse even after post menopause? What am I gonna do? What medicine am I supposed to take? Will I get through with this? Will it get better?
So many questions, so many factors and so many considerations run in your mind. However, as what we always say, equipping yourself with enough information and regular visits to your physician are very important as you prepare yourself in one of the most common and serious complications of menopause.
Hypertension and headaches become more
frequent in middle age women because of
hormone fluctuation during menopause.
The Risk of Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition wherein the blood pressure in your artery walls is high. This condition results from pumping of too much blood from the heart along narrow artery walls.
High blood pressure can often lead to some serious complications such as heart attack and stroke. As women age, well specifically above age 65 (this age is quite after post-menopause), the risk of developing hypertension is higher.
Aside from menopause, other factors includes: inheriting it because of family line, lifestyle and diet, exposure to stress, weight and as well as smoking and drinking habits - if you engage in these activities. (1)
What hypertension?
That's far away from my mind and not part of my personal vocabulary at all!
Every time I visit my GP, I've always been on the lower side of the blood pressure monitor and was actually anaemic few times. In fact, the last visit to my GP, my BP was 118/76, she said it's perfect for my age!
It's 2:55 am, and the last 3 Monday mornings, I was awakened by a throbbing headache I couldn't explain. I'm a migraine sufferer but this headache is different. I just know it's not migraine but I don't know what it is so i just kept calling it migraine when I have to make a phone call that I can't make it to work.
Mom passed away just over 7 months ago... I keep getting flashbacks of her last days while we we're caring for her. A day hardly pass by without her in my mind. I remember reading the highest my BP hit 175 over 105... I was dumbfounded to say the least!
A visit to my GP confirmed I have elevated blood pressure. she understand I am stressed because of what happened to my mother not long ago and was given prescription to keep my BP low. I didn't want to take any mediation and wanted to try natural ways to keep it low.
I was 49...
The Connection of Menopause and Hypertension
Menopause is a natural process wherein your monthly period stops because your ovaries have already depleted their eggs and you can no longer be pregnant. Estrogen hormones are also produced by your ovaries. Deficiency in estrogen causes the many complications of menopause, and not the menopause itself. Estrogen is responsible for regulating many bodily functions and fluctuating level of these hormones will result to the disrupted bodily functions also - physically, emotionally and mentally.
The same is true with regards to menopause and hypertension. What happens in menopause is that fluctuating hormones may slower your metabolism resulting to weight gain or difficulty of maintaining your weight. This can lead to high blood pressure. One more thing is that your body tends to expend blood sugar more instead of the starches present and this is practically due to estrogen deficiency thus fat stored in your body is stored and kept leading to gaining more weight. (2)
Moreover, your body’s sensitivity to salt content in your food increases leading to hypertension. (3)
6 Helpful Tips to Manage
Menopause and Hypertension
1. Monitor your blood pressure regularly
As the saying goes, “It is better to be safe than sorry”. Well, it is true, isn’t it? You can go to your physician to have your blood pressure checked and that is even if you feel just fine.
Regular blood pressure check and visit to your GP will pay off is important at this stage.
If you decide to have a digital blood pressure monitor, have it calibrated by your physician to obtain accurate results every time you use it.
2. Follow your doctor's drug prescription
This is important to avoid further complications of your organs.
Your doctor's recommendation will depend on several factors and other health conditions you may have.
It's good to note that long-term high blood pressure increases the risk of organ damage or failure such as kidneys and deteriorating cognitive functions sometimes leading to dementia.
3. Go out for a walk
Take a 30 minute walk at least 5 days a week.
Walking will help strengthen your heart muscle.
It will help strengthen the muscles in your heart.
4. Eat nutritious food
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber may help control blood pressure.
Stick to whole fruits and veggies. Juice is less helpful, because the fiber is removed. Nuts, seeds, legumes, lean meats, and poultry are good sources of magnesium.
Make the effort to reduce the fat and salt content in your food intake.
5. Stop smoking
Nicotine from smoking is a big part of hypertension problem.
Smoking increases your blood pressure and heart rate, narrows and hardens the walls of your arteries.
Please take not that second hand smoke also puts you at risk.
6. Maintain your ideal weight
Make it your goal to at least maintain your ideal weight.
Ask your GP to find your ideal weight and stay close to it.
If you are overweight, lose some 5 - 10 pounds of it.
Few small steps can often make a big impact.
The following are some helpful tips which are within your power to accomplish and to
keep high blood pressure away: (4)
These tips are helpful when dealing with menopause and hypertension. Start to do these now will have lasting benefits for your health and the people around you.
According to one common proverb is that “You Reap What You Sow”. So similarly taking care of your body as you journey before, through and after menopause, will help you get though it smoothly.
We know you want to enjoy life more fully having done with menopause, you can do this!
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
(2) https://www.medicinenet.com/menopause_and_perimenopause_pictures_slideshow/article.htm
(3) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/menopause-and-high-blood-pressure/faq-20058406
(4) https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/high-blood-pressure-a-silent-danger-in-postmenopausal-women
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EXPLORE
STAGES OF MENOPAUSE
The clues and symptoms are the result of unbalanced and changing hormone levels of oestrogen in your body.
COMPLICATIONS
Complications of menopause - the risks women face for certain health problems; heart disease, depression, weight gain, insomnia, hypertension, osteoporosis
MENOQUOTES
There are 3 billion women who, sooner or later will experience Menopause but many still find it uncomfortable to talk about… it’s about time we change this.