High BP in Women: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Hypertension, or high blood pressure in young females, is one of the prominent health conditions affecting millions of individuals globally. As per one research, in females between the ages of 65 and 74 years, the occurrence of hypertension is as high as 58%. Females must identify high blood pressure symptoms that may not initially present. High BP can grow over time without any prominent signs, causing serious complications. This guide will include everything you must know about hypertension in females, from symptoms to prevention, to help manage the problem.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is invariably too high. High blood pressure in women, mainly in older adults or during pregnancy, can lead to severe health problems. It is essential to determine normal blood pressure for women and how it differs with age, lifestyle, and health.

Normal blood pressure ranges around 120/80 mmHg. The first (systolic pressure) calculates the artery's pressure when the heart beats, and the second (diastolic pressure) counts the pressure when the heart rests between beats. Normal BP for women usually ranges between 120 and 80 mmHg; however, it can differ depending on individual health factors.

You must gain insights into the high blood pressure in young females to manage the condition effectively.

Symptoms of High BP in Women

The symptoms of high BP in females can be unclear and misunderstood for other conditions. Hence, women must ensure to check their BP regularly, mainly if they are vulnerable to developing the condition due to obesity, family history, pregnancy, etc. High BP symptoms in women are:

• Blurry vision & Lightheadedness
• Chest pain & dizziness
• Confusion or fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent headaches
• Nosebleeds

Causes of Hypertension in Women

Various factors contribute to the growth of hypertension in women. Determining the causes of high blood pressure in young females helps prevent the condition. Here are the causes:

• Age: As women age, especially post-menopause, their risk of developing high blood pressure increases significantly. Typical blood pressure for women also differs by age, with readings growing as women age.
• Pregnancy-related hypertension: Normal blood pressure for pregnant females can be affected by conditions like preeclampsia that lead to high blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Obesity and poor diet: Excess weight and a diet high in sodium can seriously strain the heart, causing high blood pressure.
• Genetics: Family history can majorly affect whether a woman develops hypertension.
• Poor lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle, including emotional stress, can increase blood pressure over time.

Hypertension Risk Factors in Women

Women experience unusual risk factors for growing hypertension, and it is essential to identify these factors to prevent the condition from becoming severe. These factors include:

• Pregnancy complications: Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia increase the risk of developing severe high blood pressure in later stages of life.
• Menopause: The hormonal shifts during menopause can increase blood pressure levels. After menopause, women may experience a rise in average blood pressure in women.
• Lifestyle factors: It involves factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise contributing to the development of high BP symptoms in women.
• Underlying health conditions: Women with diabetes or kidney disease are at greater risk for hypertension.

Complications of Hypertension

Hypertension is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it often causes no symptoms until damage is already done. If an individual overlooks this condition, then it can result in severe complications, some of which may be life-threatening:

• Heart diseases: These are the result of conditions like hypertension that lead to heart issues such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, or heart attacks.
• Stroke: Elevated blood pressure is one of the leading causes of stroke in women.
• Kidney damage: High blood pressure in young females can impair their kidneys, which might lead to kidney failure.
• Vision loss: When hypertension treatment is overlooked, it can impair the eye's blood vessels, causing vision issues.
• Cognitive decline: When hypertension is not treated for a long term, it might contribute to memory loss and raise the risk of developing dementia.

Diagnosis of Hypertension in Women

Routine check-ups are necessary to diagnose high blood pressure in young females. Health experts diagnose hypertension by taking repeated blood pressure measurements over time. Here are the steps to detect high BP symptoms in women:

• Home monitoring: Women with a family history of high BP or at risk must monitor their blood pressure regularly at home.
• Routine check-ups: Frequent visits to your healthcare professional ensure early diagnosis of increasing blood pressure levels.
• Ambulatory monitoring: Health professionals recommend 24-hour blood pressure observation to get a clear picture of blood pressure fluctuation for proper outcomes.

Treatment for Hypertension in Women

High blood pressure in young females usually includes lifestyle alterations and medications, depending on the severity of the condition. The treatment plan depends on the individual's blood pressure levels and other health factors.

Lifestyle Changes

Healthy diet: A diet low in sodium and potassium and rich in fruits, vegetables, etc., helps women maintain normal blood pressure.

Exercise: Incorporating physical exertion into daily routine benefits in reducing high blood pressure in young females and maintaining overall heart health.

Weight management: Losing those extra pounds lowers blood pressure.

Stress management: Reducing stress through relaxation techniques or yoga can help control blood pressure.

Smoking cessation: Quitting smoking has immediate benefits for heart and blood vessel health.

Medications

• Diuretics: These help remove extra fluid and salt from the body to lower blood pressure.
• ACE inhibitors: Helps relax blood vessels and help prevent narrowing.
• Beta-blockers: Lowers the heart's workload and help reduce blood pressure.
• Calcium channel blockers: These help relax blood vessels and reduce heart rate.

Prevention Tips for Hypertension in Women

Tips to prevent high blood pressure in females involve:

• Blood pressure monitoring to identify the signs of hypertension in women and take immediate action.
• Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising daily, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.
• Stress management is crucial to averting the development of high blood pressure in women. Methods include meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, etc.
• If high blood pressure is a genetic condition, then you must pay extra attention to your blood pressure levels.

The Role of Health Insurance in Managing Hypertension

By keeping a health insurance plan in place, you can mitigate the expenses of managing hypertension without compromising healthcare quality.

How Care Health Insurance Can Help

Care Health Insurance presents ‘Care Freedom’ as a devoted health insurance policy for individuals with pre-existing diseases such as hypertension. The policy covers expenses for hospitalisation and treatment against the most common lifestyle diseases scaring people of all age groups. Here’s the benefit Care offers:

• Coverage for medications: Many medications for high blood pressure are covered under health insurance plans, making treatment more affordable.
• Regular screenings: Our health insurance often covers routine checkups and blood pressure screenings, allowing for early detection.
• Specialist care: The expenses for consulting a specialist, such as a cardiologist, during hospitalisation are covered, ensuring access to quality care.
• Chronic condition management: Our health insurance provides access to programs designed to help individuals effectively manage long-term conditions like hypertension.