The silent threat of peri/menopause

Why high blood pressure could be your biggest health risk

BeWell | The Midst beauty, style & wellness newsletter

Why your heart needs attention now

While peri/menopause has us worried about all sorts of physical changes, from weight gain to hair loss, we’re probably not watching one that could have deadly consequences. It has to do with the “silent killer” — high blood pressure.

Women are lucky because our higher estrogen levels can actually help to keep our blood pressure relatively low most of our lives. But as we get closer to menopause, that can change. Before menopause, only about 17% of women have high blood pressure (a consequence of genetics, but also diet, exercise levels, and habits like smoking). But then our estrogen levels start to fall (and we tend to gain weight) during perimenopause.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health, “Nearly 50% of women ages 40–59 have high blood pressure.” And what’s more, after age 60, almost 75% of women are affected by high blood pressure. 

High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. Why?

We women are often unaware of our risk for heart disease — and it’s more likely to kill us than all forms of cancer combined.

Do you have high blood pressure? How to know

Signs of high blood pressure can be subtle, but you can be on the lookout and confirm your suspicions with your doctor. If you are at high risk for hypertension, you should be especially aware of potential physical symptoms and consider checking your blood pressure more often.

The World Health Organization points out that some signs of high blood pressure can include symptoms including: 

• severe headaches

• chest pain

• dizziness

• difficulty breathing

• nausea

• vomiting

• blurred vision or other vision changes

• anxiety

• confusion

• buzzing in the ears

• nosebleeds

• abnormal heart rhythm

• or nothing at all!

The definitive check for high blood pressure is to measure it with a blood pressure cuff. You’ve probably had this performed every time you go to a doctor’s office or even at the gynecologist’s. But there’s also a chance for a false high reading — sometimes shrugged off by medical personnel as “white coat syndrome” — when patients are anxious simply by being at the doctor’s office. Instead of dismissing your high BP, make sure that you’re paying attention, especially as you get closer to menopause and beyond.