Life is busy and, like most people, you probably only see your healthcare provider when something goes wrong. But some conditions have no symptoms. One example is high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If left untreated, this can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, among other things. Read our expert guide to find out how menopause affects blood pressure and some simple tips to help control it.
Find what you need quickly
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What is blood pressure and why is it important?
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How is blood pressure measured?
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What is a healthy blood pressure?
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How often should you check your blood pressure?
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Can menopause cause high blood pressure?
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Can low estrogen cause high blood pressure?
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Four ways to control high blood pressure during menopause
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Can HT help with high blood pressure in menopause?
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Will your high blood pressure decrease after menopause?
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Final word
What is blood pressure and why is it important?
When your healthcare provider takes your blood pressure, they are measuring how well your blood is moving around your body in your blood vessels.
It may help to think about your blood vessels as similar to the pipes in your central heating at home. Your central heating system is filled with fluid that is driven by a pump. A certain level of water pressure is needed to make the system work properly. If pipes are too narrow then the pump has to work hard, and you may get a burst pipe or a leak if the pressure is too high.
Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy and live longer. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, among other things, if left untreated. It can cause aneurysms, and contribute to blindness.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure can be measured quickly and easily using a blood pressure monitor, which is sometimes referred to as a cuff. This can be done in the clinic, at the pharmacy, or even at home if you have your own blood pressure monitor.
The cuff goes around your arm – it will tighten and then release a few seconds later. A screen displays your blood pressure reading. Medical professionals may also check your blood pressure the old-fashioned way – using a stethoscope. Both methods are fine.
The result will be shown as two numbers written as a fraction, such as 110/70. The upper number is your systolic pressure and refers to the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart is contracting. The lower number is your diastolic pressure, taken when your heart rests between beats.
What is a healthy blood pressure?
Current guidelines suggest you and your healthcare provider should work to keep your blood systolic pressure below 120 and your diastolic pressure below 80, but this will vary from person to person. How you measure your blood pressure can affect your reading – it is often higher if measured in the clinic compared to if you do it at home. This can be because you may feel more stressed or anxious when in the clinic.
Your blood pressure varies throughout your life. It is common to have relatively low blood pressure as a young adult and during pregnancy. Your blood vessels become less elastic as you age, which may raise your blood pressure.
A very high blood pressure can be a medical emergency and should not be ignored.
When should you talk to a healthcare provider about your blood pressure
Talk to your healthcare provider if your blood pressure reading at home is:
- 130/80 or above
- 90/60 or lower and making you feel faint or dizzy
Ask for a same-day appointment if it is 180/120 or above.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher with:
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Breathlessness
- Swollen ankles
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
- Headache
- Any other serious concerns
These can be signs of what we call a ‘hypertensive emergency’, which means you need assessment and treatment as soon as possible. Do not drive if your blood pressure is this high.
How often should you check your blood pressure?
Check your blood pressure at least once every year after the age of 40.
Your healthcare provider may suggest more regular checks if you are at high risk of developing high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
You will need more frequent checks if you have high blood pressure – your healthcare provider will advise how often these should be.
It is common to take extra readings when you start blood pressure tablets. Get advice from your healthcare provider if you are unsure.
How can you check your blood pressure?
- Ask your healthcare provider. There may be a blood pressure machine at your doctor’s office that you can use without an appointment
- At your pharmacy or a nearby supermarket
- Buy your own blood pressure monitor to use at home. They can cost less than $50 and you can use funds from an HSA or FSA if you have one
Can menopause cause high blood pressure?
Scientists are still learning about the link between menopause and high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is more common after menopause and studies show an increased risk for those who go through menopause before age 45 or after age 50.
However, it isn’t clear whether this is directly caused by menopause. Researchers think it could be caused by the way menopause is associated with other risk factors for high blood pressure. For example, we know that weight changes increase your risk of high blood pressure and are also common at menopause.
The way menopause affects blood pressure is different for everyone. One study found that a third of women had a faster-than-usual increase in blood pressure in the year after menopause.
It is impossible to predict how your blood pressure will respond to hormonal changes. This is why it is important to check yours regularly and see your healthcare provider if you notice the numbers are too low or too high.
Can low estrogen cause high blood pressure?
Estrogen levels gradually decrease throughout perimenopause, until reaching a low level postmenopause.
While we know that high blood pressure is more common when estrogen levels are low – that is, after menopause – we don’t yet fully understand whether low estrogen levels are directly responsible.
Four ways to control high blood pressure during menopause
Treatment for high blood pressure is similar regardless of your age or menopause stage.
Your lifestyle choices are important and making small changes might improve your blood pressure, such as:
- Exercising more regularly
- Keeping alcohol consumption to less than one drink per day
- Cutting down on the amount of salt in your diet – keep to less than 6g or one teaspoon per day
- Losing weight if your BMI is above 25
Your healthcare provider may also recommend medications, known as antihypertensives, to reduce your blood pressure if lifestyle changes don’t work for you or you need more urgent help.
Can HT help with high blood pressure in menopause?
Hormone therapy (HT) is not used to treat high blood pressure, even though there may be a link between menopause and high blood pressure. But HT is a highly effective treatment for many menopause symptoms, although it is not for everyone.
Find out more about the benefits and risks of HT.
Will your high blood pressure decrease after menopause?
A gradual increase in blood pressure is a natural part of aging. It is unlikely to decrease on its own later in life.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to get yours back into the healthy range if you need to. Work with your doctor to try lifestyle changes and medications, and find what works for you.
Final word
High blood pressure is common, especially after menopause. Work with your healthcare provider to control your blood pressure. Regular checks can reduce your risk of serious illness and help you live a longer, healthier life.
Find out more about menopause on our blog or in our symptoms library.
- Anagnostis P, Theocharis P, Lallas K, Konstantis G, Mastrogiannis K, Bosdou JK, Lambrinoudaki I, Stevenson JC, Goulis DG 2020, ‘Early menopause is associated with increased risk of arterial hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Maturitas, vol. 135, pp. 74-79
- Loaiza-Betancur AF, Chulvi-Medrano I, Díaz-López VA, Gómez-Tomás C 2021,
- ‘The effect of exercise training on blood pressure in menopause and postmenopausal women: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials’, Maturitas, vol. 149, pp. 40-55
- Morimoto S, Ichihara A 2023, ‘Late age at menopause positively associated with obesity-mediated hypertension’, Hypertens Res, vol. 46, pp. 1163–1164
- Samargandy S, Matthews KA, Brooks MM, Barinas-Mitchell E, Magnani JW, Thurston RC, El Khoudary SR 2022, ‘Trajectories of blood pressure in midlife women: does menopause matter?’, Circulation Research, vol. 130, pp. 312–322
- Tikhonoff V, Casiglia E, Gasparotti F, Spinella P 2019, ‘The uncertain effect of menopause on blood pressure’, Journal of Human Hypertension, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 421-428
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