Hypertension in Women: The Role of Menopause-Hypertension in Women: The Role of Menopause

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Video Summary

Dr. Erin Nikos from Johns Hopkins University discusses hypertension in women, focusing on menopause. With aging, 71% of women over 60 develop hypertension, a significant cardiovascular risk, as it poses a more substantial threat to women compared to men. Menopause influences this through hormonal changes, leading to increased blood pressure due to factors like visceral fat gain and insulin resistance. Women experience a sharper blood pressure rise post-menopause, potentially due to decreased estrogen and increased androgens. Menopause-related vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, also correlate with higher cardiovascular risks. Although hormone replacement therapy can alleviate symptoms, it's not suitable for cardiovascular prevention and should be cautiously considered, favoring transdermal over oral estrogen. Emphasizing lifestyle changes, monitoring cardiovascular health, and comprehensive menopause-related risk assessments are crucial in managing women's cardiovascular health post-menopause.

Keywords

hypertension

menopause

cardiovascular risk

hormonal changes

estrogen

lifestyle changes