Women & Hypertension

Know the risks, take control.

- Dr. Shradha Runwal Gadiya

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms until serious damage has been done. For women, especially, the risks are uniquely concerning—and often underestimated. As the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2023, over one billion people worldwide live with hypertension, and nearly half are unaware they have it. Women face distinctive biological, hormonal, and lifestyle-related factors that influence the development and progression of this condition.

Gender-Specific Risks

While hypertension affects both men and women, recent studies suggest that women, particularly after menopause, are at a higher risk of developing it. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), estrogen helps protect the cardiovascular system; however, post-menopausal estrogen decline can lead to stiffening of arteries and increased blood pressure.