Blood pushing against the inner lining of arteries creates blood pressure. When that force rises and remains above average for a while, it results in high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. The blood vessels, heart, brain, and other organs can all be harmed by this illness.
It’s a fallacy that hypertension is exclusively a problem for men’s health. According to a dependable source like the American Heart Association, women make up around half of those with high blood pressure. One in three Americans in their 40s, 50s, and 60s suffer with high blood pressure. The risk is often not much influenced by gender, however it is somewhat increased by the onset of menopause.
In this article, we will talk about all the symptoms, causes and risk factors regarding high blood pressure in women. Stay with us till the end to know in detail!
Table of Content
● Hypertension during pregnancy
● Causes and Symptoms of Hypertension
● Menopause and hypertension
Can high blood pressure be revealed by pregnancy?
“A new diagnosis of high blood pressure sometimes occurs during pregnancy,” according to Dr. Patel. “One reason for this is because the changes that occur during pregnancy can unmask existing high blood pressure that had been lurking in the background.”
A woman’s first prenatal appointment may potentially result in a new diagnosis if she just has her blood pressure checked for the first time in a while.
“There is also a specific form of high blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy, called preeclampsia,” according to Dr. Patel.
Preeclampsia usually goes away after birth, but it is crucial for a woman to follow the management recommendations given to her by her care team if she does experience preeclampsia.
Can menopause enhance a woman’s risk of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure has been linked to menopause, which starts whenever a woman passes 12 months without having a period and often happens in a woman’s 50s.
“During aging and menopause, there are several changes in the body related to hormone levels and body weight,” cautions Dr. Patel. “These changes may increase a woman’s risk of high blood pressure.”
Another possible explanation for why high blood pressure in women frequently goes untreated is menopause and accompanying symptoms. Both conditions might share symptoms like weariness and headaches.
“A woman may delay scheduling a checkup with her doctor about symptoms because they seem related to menopause,” says Dr. Patel. This makes it possible for high blood pressure to go unnoticed.
What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in women?
Not all cases of high blood pressure result in symptoms. In fact, high blood pressure is frequently referred to be a “silent condition” because the majority of affected individuals show no symptoms at all.
Although even those with severe high blood pressure may not exhibit any symptoms at all, symptoms frequently don’t start to show up until someone has had high blood pressure for years.
When symptoms do materialize, they are universal in appearance and may include:
● a skin blush
● eyelid blotches that are crimson
● dizziness
However, these signs only appear after high blood pressure has broken the harmed blood vessels. Having continuously high blood pressure is the sole real indication of high blood pressure.
Complications with hypertension in Women
You might not be aware that your blood pressure is rising without a proper diagnosis. Damage to numerous organs’ blood arteries might result from unchecked high blood pressure. This may result in severe health issues like:
● Stroke
● renal failure
● cardiac arrests
● Your kidneys may have thinned or thickened blood vessels.
● Dementia
● vision issues
Additionally, there is data that suggests having high blood pressure may increase your risk of developing a serious illness if you catch COVID-19.
What are the main Causes of High blood pressure?
High blood pressure is more likely to affect you if you:
● a Black American
● are overweight
● are frequently nervous or stressed
● excessive alcohol consumption (more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men)
● ingest excessive salt
● have a history of high blood pressure in your family possess diabetes
● use or consume tobacco
The majority of the time, there is no known reason for high blood pressure. Hypertension that is necessary is what this is.
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that is brought on by a different illness or medication you are taking. Additional hypertension could result from:
● long-term kidney disease
● adrenal gland disorders, including pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome
● Hyperparathyroidism
● Preeclampsia or pregnancy
How can you Diagnose Hypertension?
Early detection of high blood pressure can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, a stroke, eye conditions, and chronic kidney disease.
Before determining that you have high blood pressure, your doctor will take numerous blood pressure readings. Your blood pressure will vary depending on the time of day, which is normal.
Every year, blood pressure readings for all adults over the age of 18 should be performed. For those who have a history of high blood pressure readings or who have risk factors for high blood pressure, more frequent measurements may be necessary.
Home blood pressure measurements may be a more accurate reflection of your current blood pressure than readings obtained in your doctor’s office.
1. Get a high-quality, properly-sized home blood pressure monitor. It ought to feature a digital readout and a cuff that is the right size.
2. Make sure you are taking your blood pressure accurately by practicing with your doctor.
3. Before taking a reading, you should be calm and sit for five minutes or more.
4. When you visit your doctor, bring your home monitor with you so they may check that it is operating properly.
In order to check for heart problems, eye damage, and other abnormalities in your body, your doctor will perform a physical examination.
Where to Seek Emergency Help
Symptoms and Causes are likely to be ignored when you are not in a suffering situation. But once you know that the situation is beyond your control, you have to seek emergency help. In case of that, SIMCARE can be your go to clinic for emergency treatment regarding hypertension, or even other gender oriented problems.
So, you can anytime visit our Sugarland or Pearland clinic and get diagnosis precisely.
Reference
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000468.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-symptoms-women#complications
