Understand the nuances of hypertension in women with Meri Sehat. Gain insights and support for proactive cardiovascular health.

Hypertension In Women

A major cause of premature death globally, hypertension affects nearly 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79, with 46% of these patients unaware that they have the condition.

Introduction

This is because most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all, at least not until the condition has become severe. Even then, it may not be visible.<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>

A common misconception is that this &ldquo;silent killer&rdquo; affects men only. On the contrary, the American Heart Association states that almost half of the adult population with high blood pressure are women.

Moreover, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of women dying from stroke is greater than the figure for men. Additionally, the number of women dying from heart disease every year in the US is almost the same as men<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Hypertension occurs when the force with which blood pushes against the inside lining of the arteries increases and stays high for a period. High blood pressure means:

<ul>
	<li>The diastolic pressure is 80 or above</li>
	<li>The systolic pressure is 130 or above</li>
	<li>Both systolic and diastolic pressures are high 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Gender usually does not influence how the condition affects an individual. However, the onset of menopause does increase the risk of developing high blood pressure in some women. 
&nbsp;

The risk increases further with increasing age. According to a study, this is also related to estrogen-only pills that women take to manage menopause symptoms. Those who prefer estrogen-only creams or patches are less likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure than those who take pills<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.

The condition remains undiagnosed and untreated because of the myth that hypertension affects only men. Doctors assuming that women are healthy or immune to high blood pressure don&rsquo;t check it then while measuring other vitals during an examination, leading to delays in proper care. 
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Understanding the Hypertension in Women

When symptoms occur, they may include:

<ul>
	<li>Red spots in front of the eyes</li>
	<li>Flushing</li>
	<li>Dizziness 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The only way to know the person has high blood pressure is consistently high blood pressure readings, which is why regularly monitoring blood pressure helps with early diagnosis. If not treated or controlled, hypertension can lead to serious health issues, including:

<ul>
	<li>Stroke</li>
	<li>Heart attack</li>
	<li>Dementia</li>
	<li>Kidney failure</li>
	<li>Vision problems</li>
	<li>Amputation 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

High blood pressure is responsible for 8.5 million deaths globally from ischemic heart disease, stroke, and renal diseases<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. 
&nbsp;

High blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and the baby. Whether it&rsquo;s a preexisting condition (chronic hypertension) or pregnancy-induced hypertension (gestational hypertension), it can cause preeclampsia, which is one of the major causes of maternal and infant mortality.

Preeclampsia, a critical blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy, usually presents itself after the 20th week of pregnancy. However, it can occur earlier or during postpartum as well. It is characterized by headaches, nausea or vomiting, and abdominal pain. In some cases, it also causes swelling, sudden weight gain, and kidney, liver, and brain damage. 
&nbsp;

The risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy increases if the mother is:

<ul>
	<li>Obese</li>
	<li>Under 20 or over 40</li>
	<li>On a diet high in fat and salt</li>
	<li>Living with chronic stress</li>
	<li>Not physically active</li>
	<li>Pregnant for the first time</li>
	<li>Had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy</li>
	<li>Pregnant via IVF</li>
	<li>Have chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes/gestational diabetes, and an immune system disorder like lupus</li>
	<li>Have a history of thrombophilia</li>
	<li>Certain medications, including some pain relievers and birth control pills</li>
	<li>Having multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)</li>
	<li>Have a family history of hypertension or preeclampsia</li>
	<li>Environmental factors 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

High blood pressure during pregnancy is dangerous for the mother because it can cause complications, such as seizures, blood clotting problems, stroke, liver problems, and temporary kidney failure. It can also necessitate a c-section delivery. 
&nbsp;

Moreover, it prevents the placenta from receiving enough blood. This restricts the food and oxygen supply for the fetus, causing:

<ul>
	<li>Labor induction before the baby is full-term</li>
	<li>Premature birth</li>
	<li>Low birth weight</li>
	<li>Stillbirth 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The risk of these serious complications increases if the condition is not diagnosed in the early stage. As such, it&rsquo;s important that women are screened for hypertension during pregnancy just like any other condition. 
&nbsp;

A woman taking medicine, as advised by the doctor throughout the pregnancy, should take it during labor, too.

In the case of mild-moderate hypertension, the blood pressure is to be monitored closely every hour during labor. Blood pressure within the acceptable range increases the chances of a natural birth. 
&nbsp;

In the case of severe hypertension, the blood pressure is to be monitored every 15-30 minutes during labor. Also, doctors may suggest using forceps or opting for a cesarean section to deliver the baby.

Post-delivery, the mother&rsquo;s blood pressure will be monitored again. If they had hypertension before pregnancy, the doctor may need to review their treatment program again two weeks after delivery.

Postpartum preeclampsia is typically diagnosed within two days after delivery and treatment proceeds accordingly. 
&nbsp;

If the doctor approves it, it&rsquo;s okay to breastfeed while taking hypertension medicine. That said, some medications are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It&rsquo;s best to always check the warnings mentioned in the manufacturer&rsquo;s information provided<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Understanding the individual risk and warning signs of high blood pressure is important to prevent it. Additionally, women should:

<ul>
	<li>Eat a healthy diet and reduce the salt intake</li>
	<li>Maintain a healthy weight</li>
	<li>Quit smoking and alcohol</li>
	<li>Be active</li>
	<li>De-stress</li>
	<li>Get plenty of rest 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Excess fat, particularly abdominal fat, can raise blood pressure. Losing just 7.7 pounds can reduce this risk by 50%<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>.

Exercising and other forms of physical activity not only help shed the extra weight but also help keep the arteries flexible. According to the American Heart Association, regular exercise can lower the numbers by 8-10 points<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Moreover, fat-free dairy products, dried beans, and fresh produce have a high content of calcium, potassium, and magnesium and help regulate blood pressure. However, evidence is needed to validate the effectiveness of dietary supplements (e.g., fish oils, folic acid) in preventing hypertension in women.

Besides, it pays if the individual avoids high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Also, a 2017 report showed that a moderate intake of coffee is safe for consumption in case of high blood pressure<a href="#accordion">[7]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Meditation and other relaxation techniques, like breathing exercises, warm baths, and yoga, are also beneficial since stress hormones raise blood pressure. And while sleep alone cannot treat hypertension, poor sleep quality or sleeping less than five hours a night increases the risk of high blood pressure. 
&nbsp;

Important!

Women aged 30-60 should monitor their blood pressure even when their levels generally remain low. Compared to men, women have lower blood pressure but it increases earlier and also progresses faster. One reason could be that their blood vessels age faster than men&rsquo;s, making them more susceptible to developing hypertension and related problems<a href="#accordion">[8]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

It&rsquo;s normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. For instance, blood pressure is different while sleeping or relaxing compared to when a person is under stress or excited. However, when the resting blood pressure level is too high, it can stiffen, scar, or weaken blood vessels. A person may not necessarily feel unwell if they have hypertension or high blood pressure. 
&nbsp;

Do not start or stop any medication without first talking to a doctor. Women who are already taking medicine to lower their blood pressure and trying to get pregnant should consult their doctor first. If they&rsquo;re pregnant already, it&rsquo;s important to inform the doctor immediately. This is so the doctors can change the medication as soon as possible because some medicines are simply not safe to take during pregnancy.

Other than medications, lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet and physical activity (e.g., walking or swimming) are important to reduce high blood pressure. 
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