National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week (#NWBPAW) is a weeklong observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Each year, from October 11th to October 17th, we are encouraged to highlight the importance of blood pressure control and monitoring among all women, with special emphasis on women ages 18-44.
High Blood Pressure in Women
A important risk factor for heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Blood pressure is the force that your blood creates as your heart pounds against your arterial walls when your heart beats. It can damage your arteries if this force is too strong.
Usually, elevated blood pressure has no symptoms. Checking and tracking your blood pressure on a regular basis allows you to understand when it is high and what impacts your blood pressure. Measure your blood pressure to find out your numbers:
- Systolic (the top number) is the pressure as your heart beats or pumps blood into your arteries.
- Diastolic (the bottom number) is the pressure when your heart is at rest.
Visit the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women website for accurate and up-to-date information on healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges.
Download the Fact Sheet: What Is High Blood Pressure (PDF)
Understanding the Risks
As you age, the risk for high blood pressure rises. It is also more likely for women with a family history of high blood pressure to have hypertension. A diet, lack of exercise, and obesity are other risk factors.
Other factors that may contribute to high blood pressure include:
- Being Overweight
- Have a High-Sodium Diet
- Have a Low-activity Lifestyle
- Poor Dietary Habits
- Poor Sleep Habits/Lack of Sleep
- Smoking
- Stress
7 Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your Risks
The good news about hypertension is that there are steps you can take today that can begin to lower your risk. Always consult with your doctor before trying anything new with your health regime, and never go off of any medication without the advice of your doctor.
Here is a list that your doctor can approve of:
- Eat healthily.
- Moderate or stop alcohol consumption.
- Lose weight, according to your doctor’s recommendation.
- Lower sodium in your diet.
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days or 150 minutes of exercise each week.
- Stop smoking.
- Always take blood pressure medicine according to your doctor’s prescription.
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Medical Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of such information or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Innovation Compounding, Inc. nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any medication, nutritional supplement, diet, or health regimen.
