Gender and blood pressure

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2005 May;7(5):300-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2005.04087.x.

Abstract

The prevalence, impact, and control of hypertension differ between the sexes in the US population. In addition, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and menopausal hormone therapy may influence blood pressure regulation in ways that have therapeutic implications for some women. Whether gender should be a significant consideration in the choice of individual antihypertensive drugs continues to be a topic of intense interest and debate. This brief review will discuss recent findings that bear on considerations of gender in the management of hypertension, particularly among older women.

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Contraceptives, Oral / adverse effects
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology*
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Contraceptives, Oral