High Blood Pressure in Perimenopause

Menopausal Transition

Perimenopause is the stage of life during which a woman experiences changes related to menopause. These include hormonal fluctuations, such as decreased estrogen levels, increased testosterone levels, and fluctuating hormone production. Symptoms associated with Perimenopause vary widely among individuals, and there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding what is normal versus abnormal.

The term perimenopausal transition refers to a specific phase of menopause, beginning around age 40 and lasting up to 10 years. During this time, a woman typically experiences irregular menstrual cycles, often accompanied by hot flashes and night sweats. In addition, a woman may experience mood swings, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and weight gain.

Importantly, hot flashes — sometimes called hot flushes are given the scientific name of “vasomotor instability” and are the most commonly reported symptom of Perimenopause.

Heart Health

What’s less known, however, is that menopause can also impact your cardiovascular health. Although menopausal symptoms vary from woman to woman in their bodies, many experience changes to their heart health.

High blood pressure (or Hypertension) is defined as having systolic blood pressure (the top number) over 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) over 90 mmHg.

Hypertension is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The symptoms include headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation.

What causes hypertension during Perimenopause?

Menopause is a natural part of aging. During this time, women can experience changes in their hormone levels, such as estrogen and progesterone. With the decline in estrogen levels, risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) become more apparent, especially Hypertension.

Notably, both hormones play a vital role in regulating blood pressure.

Women who suffer from high blood pressure often report symptoms of hot flashes or night sweats. The cause of these symptoms is unknown, but they tend to occur at times when blood pressure rises.

What can I do about Hypertension in Perimenopause?

There are several things you can do to help lower your blood pressure in Perimenopause:

1. Eat healthy foods. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, beans, and soy will provide essential nutrients for good health. Avoid processed foods, refined sugars, trans fats, and salt.

2. Regular exercise is a key component of managing blood pressure during perimenopause. It strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and controls weight, all of which can contribute to lower blood pressure. Exercise can involve starting to walk on a daily cycle, going to a gym to participate in exercise classes, or working out with a personal gym instructor.

3. Regular consultations with your doctor are crucial for monitoring your health and adjusting your treatment plan if necessary. Your doctor can provide personalized advice and support, helping you feel reassured and cared for during this challenging time.

4. Monitor your blood pressure with a home-based blood pressure monitor.

5. Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.

6. Managing your blood pressure can take months or even years. Be patient with yourself and your body, and stay hopeful that your efforts will pay off in the long run.

7. Know your numbers. Understand what the terms “Systolic” and Diastolic” pressure mean.

8. Empower yourself by learning more about high blood pressure. Read books and articles, ask your doctor questions, and actively manage your health. The more you know, the more in control you’ll feel.

Risk Factors

The best way to monitor your risk for high blood pressure is to check it regularly—whether at your doctor’s office or a consulting room in a pharmacy. Once your blood pressure is checked, you must know your current numbers. If your blood pressure is elevated, you should start to be concerned about it progressing into high blood pressure. Importantly, studies suggest that women who have experienced premature menopause should have additional screening to monitor their blood pressure.

Estrogen Patches

If you’re waking up often due to menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, you can also talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. Typically, medical professionals don’t use estrogen replacement to prevent heart disease but use it to manage bothersome symptoms. If you can’t sleep through the night because you’re having night sweats all night, that’s also a disruptive symptom. Estrogen patches, in which a low dose of estrogen is applied through the skin, may help ease menopausal symptoms, including disrupted sleep.

Conclusion

The term Perimenopause is used to describe the period between menopause and the onset of menopausal symptoms, which typically occurs at age 50-55 years. It can be a confusing time for women as they are going through physical changes that may feel like they are happening much earlier than expected. Many women experience some of these changes before their 40th birthday. Importantly, cardiovascular (heart health) issues may develop as a result of changing hormone levels at the onset of menopause. Many things can be done to both prevent and manage heart issues throughout this time of a woman’s life.

If you’re experiencing night sweats that disrupt your sleep, estrogen patches may help. These patches deliver a low dose of estrogen through the skin, which can ease menopausal symptoms.

Will you monitor your blood pressure at home in the future?