Women must monitor their blood pressure

Ahead of World Hypertension Day on the 17th May, Total Health and doctors are urging women to know their blood pressure. It is important - especially for women - to understand the key steps that can be taken to improve health, in order to help prevent heart disease and stroke.

risk for heart disease increases at a lower level in women compared with men

As pointed out by the European Society of Cardiology, risk for heart disease increases at a lower level in women compared with men. If you have concerns, a blood pressure monitoring appointment can be scheduled.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) in midlife is more harmful in women than in similarly aged men, and is a stronger risk factor for heart attack, cognitive decline and dementia. Prof Maas goes onto explain, “One of the most important consequences of hypertension in women is a type of heart failure in which the heart muscle is stiff".

There are few treatments available for Heat Failure other than from world experts such as Mr Inderpaul Birdi, so if you want to avoid symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and fluid retention when you are over 70, you have to start treating high blood pressure in middle age. If you wait 20 years, it is often too late.

Blood pressure checkHypertension affects one in three women

Hypertension is women is a big deal being one of the most important risk factors for death - affecting around one in three women.  As Prof Maas points out despite the importance, hypertension in women is often underestimated and / or not sufficiently treated”.

Below the age of 50, hypertension is more prevalent in men than women. However, this health parameter reverses in the years after menopause so that after the age of 65, hypertension is more common in women than men.

What are the key symptoms of hypertension in women?

The symptoms of hypertension are more pronounced in women and can be be mistaken for menopause. The main symptoms include anxiety or stress, however, young and middle-aged women with high blood pressure often also report the following:

  • palpitations,
  • chest pain,
  • pain between the shoulder blades,
  • headaches,
  • difficulty concentrating,
  • shortness of breath,
  • tiredness,
  • fluid retention,
  • poor sleep,
  • hot flushes and
  • a feeling that their bra is too tight.

How can diet and nutrition help women reduce their blood pressure?

Flaxseeds: A natural way to reduce blood pressure

Cara Shaw, a renowned Women’s Health Nutritional Therapist and Nutrigenomics Practitioner who specialises in addressing complex health issues such as PCOS, infertility, and hormonal imbalances, explores flaxseeds as a natural way to reduce blood pressure. 

In her article on the importance of monitoring and reducing blood pressure levels for women she explains how the inclusion of appropriate ingredients into a diet can have a big impact.

Flaxseed to reduce blood pressure

Over 7.6 million people are living in the UK with a heart or circulatory disease and whilst there are many different risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor, with others including obesity, high cholesterol, poor diets and sedentary lifestyles.

Dietary changes and the inclusion of health foods are getting increasing recognition as integral parts of lifestyle changes suggested to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

When it comes to foods that support health, flaxseeds are a powerful contender, as they contain beneficial compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fibre that have shown anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and lipid modulating properties (6). Let’s explore the research-backed advantages of flaxseeds, including their impact on cardiovascular health, and how you can incorporate them practically into your daily routine.

Fulll article on The importance of monitoring and reducing blood pressure levels for women

Any drug that suppresses inflammation Full medical glossary
A fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. Full medical glossary
The pressure of blood within the arteries. Full medical glossary
Disease of the heart and blood vessels, usually due to atherosclerosis. Full medical glossary
A substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. Full medical glossary
Decline in mental capacity, brain functioning and memory that affects day-to-day living. Full medical glossary
One of the three main food constituents (with carbohydrate and protein), and the main form in which energy is stored in the body. Full medical glossary
A viral infection affecting the respiratory system. Full medical glossary
The death of a section of heart muscle caused by an interruption in its blood supply. Also called a myocardial infarction. Full medical glossary
Failure of the heart to pump adequately. Full medical glossary
High blood pressure. Full medical glossary

The time of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing an egg (ovum) on a monthly cycle, and her periods cease

Full medical glossary
Tissue made up of cells that can contract to bring about movement. Full medical glossary
Excess accumulation of fat in the body. Full medical glossary
Essential fatty acids that may help protect against heart disease and dementia. Full medical glossary
The feeling when you become aware of your heartbeat - when frightened, for example. Full medical glossary
polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a condition where tiny cysts develop in the ovaries and eggs may not be released regulary or at all. Full medical glossary
Relating to injury or concern. Full medical glossary
Any sudden neurological problem caused by a bleed or a clot in a blood vessel. Full medical glossary
Relating to blood vessels. Full medical glossary