Understanding the Link Between Estrogen Levels and High Blood Pressure in Women
When I began my lowering blood pressure journey all I focused on was my diet and exercise. This helped me lower my blood pressure in ten days after being hypertensive for 15 years. I was also weaned off of 2 medications.
During this time I also learned what role chronic stress plays in someone who has high blood pressure. I became obsessed with as many ways possible to manage and get rid of chronic stress through my deep dive into learning about mindfulness practices.
This holistic approach has worked for me for the past 6 years, and I have helped hundreds of women (and men) lower their blood pressure through diet, exercise, and mindfulness practices.
Now that I am 50, i have been hearing more and more about the relationship between estrogen levels and increasing blood pressure in perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause stages off life. So, I put my investigators hat back on again, and wow! I was slammed by the research I found on this topic! Why is no one talking about the relationship between the two. The decrease in this hormone’s levels is a contributing factor for the increase in blood pressure numbers for many women as they age.
Understanding the relationship between estrogen and blood pressure regulation is crucial for managing cardiovascular health in women across different stages of life.
Estrogen and Blood Pressure Regulation:
Estrogen, a key hormone predominantly produced by the ovaries in women, plays a vital role in maintaining cardiovascular health. It exerts its effects on blood vessels, influencing their elasticity, endothelial function, and responsiveness to various vasoactive substances. These actions contribute to the regulation of blood pressure within a normal range.
During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels fluctuate, and researchers have observed that women tend to have lower blood pressure during the follicular phase when estrogen levels are higher compared to the luteal phase. This suggests a potential vasodilatory effect of estrogen, promoting blood vessel relaxation and improved blood flow.
(continue reading below for what you can do to slow down estrogen decline)
Impact of Estrogen Decline:
As women transition through menopause, typically occurring in their late 40s to early 50s, ovarian function declines, leading to a significant decrease in estrogen production. This hormonal shift can disrupt the delicate balance of blood pressure regulation mechanisms, potentially contributing to the development of hypertension.
Research indicates that postmenopausal women have higher rates of hypertension compared to premenopausal women of similar age. The decline in estrogen levels is believed to play a significant role in this increased susceptibility to high blood pressure. Without estrogen's vasodilatory effects, blood vessels may become stiffer, leading to elevated blood pressure levels.
Contributing Factors:
Several factors may exacerbate the relationship between estrogen decline and hypertension in menopausal and postmenopausal women:
Weight Gain: Many women experience weight gain during menopause, which can further elevate blood pressure.
Decreased Physical Activity: Hormonal changes and aging may lead to a decline in physical activity levels, contributing to weight gain and worsening cardiovascular health.
Increased Insulin Resistance: Estrogen helps regulate insulin sensitivity, and its decline can lead to increased insulin resistance, a risk factor for hypertension.
Alterations in Lipid Profile: Estrogen helps maintain a favorable lipid profile by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Its decline can lead to adverse changes in lipid levels, predisposing women to hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Managing Blood Pressure in Menopausal Women:
Given the heightened risk of developing hypertension in menopausal and postmenopausal women, proactive measures to manage blood pressure are essential. This includes:
Regular Monitoring: Women should monitor their blood pressure regularly, especially during and after menopause, to detect any abnormalities early.
Healthy Lifestyle: Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help control blood pressure levels.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): For some women, hormone replacement therapy may be considered to alleviate menopausal symptoms and potentially mitigate the risk of hypertension. However, the decision to undergo HRT should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, weighing the benefits and risks based on individual medical history and risk factors.
Alternative forms of diet adjustments such as adding soy products to your daily diet.
Soy products have often been subjected to criticism and misconceptions due to their phytoestrogen content, leading to concerns about potential feminizing effects in men, such as the development of "man boobs." However, these concerns are largely unfounded and based on misunderstandings about the type of estrogen found in soy and its effects on the human body. (Link to study below)
research indicates that moderate soy consumption is not only safe for men but may also offer various health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of certain cancers, and potential relief from menopausal symptoms in women.
What You Can Do to Slow Down Estrogen Decline
The decline in estrogen levels before, during, and after menopause significantly impact blood pressure regulation in women, predisposing them to hypertension. Understanding this relationship is crucial for implementing preventive measures and managing cardiovascular health effectively. A holistic approach of adopting a heart healthy lifestyle including monitoring blood pressure regularly, adjusting your diet, consistency with exercise, mindfulness practices to manage cortisol, and engaging in a community of friends and/or family are factors to adjust as you approach this stage of life. This approach can reduce risk of hypertension, balance estrogen and other hormone levels, and promotes overall well-being and longevity. This holistic approach is what I teach inside the 15-Day Blood Pressure Reset. If you want to learn more about the Reset click below.