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Hypertension in Women Across the Lifespan

  • Women and Ischemic Heart Disease (J.M. Peña and F. Lin, Section Editors)
  • Published:
  • volume 23, Article number: 43 (2021)
Current Atherosclerosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We will highlight the biological processes across a women’s lifespan from young adulthood through menopause and beyond that impact blood pressure and summarize women’s representation in hypertension clinical trials.

Recent Findings

Throughout their lifetime, women potentially undergo several unique sex-specific changes that may impact their risk of developing hypertension. Blood pressure diagnostic criteria for pregnant women remains 140/90 mmHg and has not been updated for concordance with the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline due to a lack of data. Although on a population level, women develop hypertension at later ages than men, new data shows women’s BP starts to increase as early as the third decade. Understanding how age and sex both contribute to hypertension in elderly women is crucial to identify optimal blood pressure and treatment targets.

Summary

Effective screening, monitoring, and treatment of hypertension throughout a women’s lifespan are necessary to reduce CVD risk. We highlight several gaps in the literature pertaining to understanding sex-specific hypertension mechanisms.

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Funding

Dr. Bello has research funding from NIH/NHLBI (K23 HL136853 R01 HL153382).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Lama Ghazi

  2. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, PH 3-342, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Natalie A. Bello

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  1. Lama Ghazi
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  2. Natalie A. Bello
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Correspondence to Natalie A. Bello.

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Dr. Ghazi has nothing to disclose.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Women and Ischemic Heart Disease

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Ghazi, L., Bello, N.A. Hypertension in Women Across the Lifespan. Curr Atheroscler Rep 23, 43 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-021-00941-4

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