Roughly half of all American adults have high blood pressure (hypertension).
Left untreated, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, heart, brain, and other organs.
Hormonal changes due to conditions such as menopause and pregnancy contribute to high blood pressure risk in women.
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This article provides a blood pressure chart and describes how high blood pressure affects women.
What Are High Blood Pressure Levels in Women?
Generally, normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Above that, a blood pressure of up to 130/80 is considered elevated.
However, they’re often attributed to other health concerns, such as stress, anxiety, or menopause.
Young to middle-aged women are more likely to experience symptoms of high blood pressure.
One study revealed thatgender-affirming hormone therapy(GAHT) can dramatically increase blood pressure levels.
Changing hormone levels, increased fluid retention in the body, and other physical stressors contribute to preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia typically appears during the second half of pregnancy, usually in the third trimester.
High blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy can put you and your fetus at risk for immediate complications.
It can also increase your risk of developing high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems later in life.
It’s also important to know how to check your blood pressure at home and what your readings mean.
Making healthy changes as you age can help you avoid severe high blood pressure.
Depending on your blood pressure stage, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication.
Women are also at risk for high blood pressure when hormone levels change, like during pregnancy or menopause.
See a healthcare provider for regular health screenings and blood pressure monitoring.
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