It’s staggering, but women represent almost 52% of deaths from high blood pressure.
Why are women at such risk for developing high blood pressure? And what can be done about it?
Here, we discuss the latest research on high blood pressure in women and provide advice on managing this condition.
What do the studies say about high blood pressure and women?
Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai found that blood pressure starts rising earlier and advances faster in women.
The study found women’s blood vessels age faster than men’s. This means a 30-year-old woman with high blood pressure is probably more likely to develop cardiovascular problems than a man who is the same age.
That’s why knowing your risk and early detection is key.
How to reduce your risk for high blood pressure
You can do several things to reduce your risk for high blood pressure:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Get regular exercise.
- Limit salt intake.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Don’t smoke.
If you already have high blood pressure, there are still things you can do to manage it.
- Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan.
- Take your medications as prescribed.
- Monitor your blood pressure at home.
- Make lifestyle changes.
Sign up for Food As Medicine for High Blood Pressure
Making these lifestyle changes can be difficult.
That’s why we offer a program called Food As Medicine for High Blood Pressure.
This program is designed to help you make lasting changes that can improve your blood pressure and overall health.
The program includes:
- Health education classes
- Healthy cooking demonstrations
- Free health coaching
- Weekly giveaways to help you get and stay on track
If you are interested in learning more about this program, visit www.tanner.org/foodasmedicine.