High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition because a person can have it for years without ever knowing. Living with undiagnosed hypertension can lead to complications as high blood pressure slowly damages the arteries, which can increase the risk of a cardiovascular event occurring.
Both men and woman can be affected by hypertension, but how each gender is affected differs. For example, at the age of 50, more men experience hypertension than women, but by 55, women outnumber men with hypertension.
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Hypertension is associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, but this risk is seen to be lower in women than men, especially if a woman has not undergone menopause.
Overall, between the ages of 40 to 70, women tend to have a lower overall risk of complications resulting from hypertension than men if readings are the same. Therefore, for women to experience a complication as a result of high blood pressure, their levels would have to be higher.
Consultant and member of the SingHealth group Dr. Ian Phoon explained, “While older people have a greater risk of high blood pressure, younger men in their 30s and 40s often suffer from the disease without knowing it. Despite gender differences in the age-related risk of high blood pressure, both men and women are diagnosed and treated in the same way.”
Having hypertension not only increases your risk of a cardiovascular event or stroke, but it can lead to kidney failure as well. Therefore, undergoing routine check-ups can help keep your blood pressure under control.
Being overweight, a lack of physical activity, high salt intake, alcohol consumption, and stress are major contributors to high blood pressure. Controlling these factors can help you better manage it.
Also read:
- Blood pressure differences when lying down, standing up, and sitting
- How to lower blood pressure naturally
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
