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Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menopause-and-high-blood-pressure/AN01463
- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
Dr. Pruthi is a consultant in the Department of Medicine, the Division of General Internal Medicine and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an associate professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native is enthusiastic about promoting education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. Dr. Pruthi is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of a clinical trial evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and has research interests in the identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer.
Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns.
She is past director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and has been a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a secretary of the executive committee for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of website content.
"Having an opportunity to share information and empower my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," Dr. Pruthi says.
"The Internet is a tremendous resource and information site for people, and I want them to get up-to-date and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
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Question
Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
Is there a connection between menopause and high blood pressure?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Blood pressure generally increases after menopause. Some doctors think this increase suggests that the hormonal changes of menopause may play a role in high blood pressure. Others think an increase in body mass index (BMI) in menopausal women may play a greater role than hormonal changes.
Menopause-related hormonal changes can lead to weight gain and make your blood pressure more reactive to salt in your diet — which, in turn, can lead to higher blood pressure. For some women, hormone therapy (HT) for menopause also may contribute to increases in blood pressure.
To control your blood pressure both before and after menopause, focus on a healthy lifestyle:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat heart-healthy foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
- Exercise on most days of the week.
- Limit or avoid alcohol.
- If you smoke, stop.
If necessary, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure.
Next questionPulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
- Cifkova R, et al. Blood pressure around the menopause: A population study. Journal of Hypertension. 2008;26:1976.
- Mosca L, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention in women: 2007 update. Circulation. 2007;115:1481.
- Barton M, et al. Postmenopausal hypertension: Mechanisms and therapy. Hypertension. 2009;54:11.
- Junge W, et al. Effects of menopausal hormone therapy on hemostatic parameters, blood pressure, and body weight: Open-label comparison of randomized treatment with estradiol plus drospirenone versus estradiol plus norethisterone acetate. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2009;147:195.
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