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Hypertension alone or related to the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Annachiara Nuzzo1, Rosario Rossi, Maria Grazia Modena

  • 1Cardiology Unit - Policlinico di Modena, DEA - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71-41100 Modena, Italy.

Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
|November 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Women often underestimate cardiovascular risk, particularly during menopause. Hypertension, a key risk factor, is frequently undiagnosed in women, increasing their cardiovascular disease mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Women's Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is higher in European women (55%) than men (43%).
  • Cardiovascular risk is poorly perceived by women, especially during the menopausal transition.
  • Hypertension is a critical determinant of cardiovascular status but often underestimated and undiagnosed in women.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the increased susceptibility to cardiovascular events in women during peri- and postmenopause.
  • To emphasize the underdiagnosis of hypertension in women and its link to menopause.

Main Methods:

  • Review of mechanisms contributing to blood pressure increase during menopause.
  • Analysis of hypertension as an isolated disease versus part of metabolic syndrome.

Main Results:

  • Hypertension in women can be isolated (elderly) or part of metabolic syndrome (early postmenopausal).
  • Metabolic syndrome affects 20-30% of the middle-aged population and is increasing globally.

Conclusions:

  • Increased cardiovascular risk in menopausal women necessitates greater awareness and diagnosis of hypertension.
  • Metabolic syndrome is a growing concern in middle-aged women, contributing to cardiovascular risk.

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