Philippine Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(2):107-120

doi:10.69944/pjc.38d047f9b8

Hypertension in women: From reproductive to postmenopausal phase

Leilani B. Mercado-Asis 1

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Hypertension In Women; Vascular Estrogen Protection; Blood Pressure In Women Lifespan

Country

Philippines

Language

English

Abstract

Globally, an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years have hypertension (HTN), most of them (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries (WHO 2023 report). The demographic of blood pressure (BP) in both genders differs with aging. In peopleyounger than 65 years of age, BP levels in men are higher compared to those of women. Conversely, at age 65 years and older, more women have been found to have elevated BP. Likewise, the cumulative incidence of increased adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in women has been reported as they age. Aside from aging, the influence of bio-social factors among women has been implicated in the development of HTN, such as health status—use of oral contraceptive pills (OCP), menopausal stage, obesity and having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) disease and socioeconomic condition—educational background, employment status and nuclear family setting. This paper will discuss how these factors affect the development of HTN and the approach of management among affected women from the reproductive to postmenopausal stage of life.