A single pill to treat postmenopausal hypertension? Not yet

Postmenopausal women make up one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. Women typically have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease following menopause. One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is hypertension, and after menopause, blood pressure (BP) increases progressively in women. Also after menopause, the progression of renal disease increases in women compared with aged matched men. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for the post-menopausal increase in BP and renal injury are yet to be elucidated. Moreover the best therapeutic options to treat postmenopausal hypertension in women are not clear. Hypertension in postmenopausal women are usually associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as dyslipidemias, visceral obesity and endothelial dysfunction. Recently it became apparent that in a large number of hypertensive postmenopausal women, their BP is not well controlled with conventional antihypertensive medications. A clear understanding of the complex pathogenesis of postmenopausal hypertension is needed in order to offer the best therapeutic options for these women.