[Women and hypertension]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Hypertension Research
• Gender-Specific Health Differences
• Public Health and Epidemiology

Context:

• Arterial hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in industrialized nations.
• In Germany, women experience higher rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease deaths compared to men.
• Cardiovascular risk profiles shift after menopause, with younger women having reduced risk compared to men.

Purpose:

• To investigate gender-specific differences in arterial hypertension prevalence, cardiovascular risk, and treatment efficacy.
• To highlight the impact of menopause on cardiovascular risk in women.
• To assess the adequacy of current hypertension management in Germany and explore the need for gender-specific strategies.

Summary:

• While younger women have a lower cardiovascular risk than men due to endogenous estrogens, this protective effect diminishes after menopause.
• Both men and women benefit from antihypertensive treatment, with older women showing greater treatment effects.
• Women exhibit higher treatment adherence but may experience more frequent side effects like electrolyte imbalance with thiazide diuretics and cough with ACE inhibitors.

Impact:

• Current hypertension management in Germany is inadequate for most patients, irrespective of sex.
• Further research is required to determine if gender-specific treatment strategies are necessary for optimal hypertension control.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering gender in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.