High blood pressure affects 10 million French people. Three periods are at risk for women: contraception, pregnancy and menopause.
In France, nearly one in three adults suffers from high blood pressure. After 65 years, half of the population is affected. The French Federation of Cardiology (FFC) warns about the particular situation of women, on the occasion of World Hypertension Day. Hormonal changes over the course of their life put them at a different risk than men.
The FFC distinguishes three periods to be carefully monitored. The first is during the initiation of contraception. Products containing synthetic estrogen (pill, implant, patch, ring) can induce high blood pressure. This remains rare, since 1 to 2% of women are concerned.
Pregnancy at risk
Detecting hormone-induced hypertension remains important: switching to contraception containing only progesterone or to a copper intrauterine device (IUD) resolves the problem in most cases. Some women are more exposed to this type of side effect: those suffering from obesity, over the age of 35 or with a family history.
The other risky period in reproductive life is pregnancy. When the placenta grows imperfectly, it can cause high blood pressure during pregnancy. 10 to 15% of patients are affected. Their management is crucial. Untreated, it promotes complications for the fetus.
This type of hypertension usually appears in the 2e trimester of pregnancy. Regular monitoring is therefore recommended for pregnant women. It must be continued after childbirth, because hypertension can come back.
Essential lifestyle
The third risky period is also linked to hormones, and more particularly to their decrease. During menopause, around age 50, natural estrogen decreases. The walls of the arteries then stiffen and thicken. At the same time, most women gain weight, which promotes the development of hypertension.
The disease is frequent during this period. After 65 years, one in two women is hypertensive. Their monitoring is therefore essential, because they are at greater risk of cardiovascular accident or stroke than men.
A healthy lifestyle reduces these risks. The FFC recommends avoiding foods high in sugars and saturated fat, but also limiting salt and alcohol. Consuming 5 fruits and vegetables a day, rich in fiber, is also recommended.
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