Why Are Menopausal Women Vulnerable to Hypertension?

A survey conducted by the Indonesian Society of Hypertension (InaSH) in May 2017 showed that cases of hypertension tend to increase in elderly women.

From InaSh data, it is known that as many as 1924 women aged less than 40 years suffering from hypertension. Data also showed as many as 2816 women with age range 41 to 50 years suffering from hypertension, while in the age range 51 to 60 years, found 3,246 women affected by hypertension.

Rossana Barack, a cardiologist and vascular specialist, suggests that elderly menopausal women are more prone to hypertension due to hormonal factors.

This he said at a press conference 12th Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Society of Hypertension (InaSH) on Thursday (22/2/2018) in Jakarta.

"In women with hypertension, the effect of menstruation is enormous. Women have estrogen hormones, yes. So, the hormone estrogen that power is very strong, "he said.

For that, women entering the age of 40 years should begin to be alert with hypertension. At that age, women generally enter the pre-menopausal period, where the estrogen ormon is reduced, menstruation decreases, until finally menopause.

The hormone estrogen, called Rossana, greatly controls all activities of women and protect women from disease. As the number decreases, the internal organs of women lose their ability and become uncontrolled. Atrial vessels also harden and become tense.

"Hypertension in menopausal women will be more dangerous. Once subjected to complications, cardiovascular disorders, the prognosis is much worse, "he said.

Endothelial cells will be destroyed because the estrogen content is thinning. Endothelial damage leads to plaque in the blood as well as stimulates the rise in blood pressure. Blood pressure that exceeds the normal threshold is what drives hypertension.

Not only elderly women; all women who have menopause due to age, removal of the uterus, or indeed early menopause are also more likely to develop hypertension.

Associated with family planning pills (KB), Rossana also reminded women to be more selective. For women with a history of hypertension, you should not take birth control pills because the way it works is to include the hormone progesterone to the body. Other KB methods should be selected.

"Can use KB spiral IUD, condoms, or use the calendar system," he suggested.

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