Go Red for Women® High Blood Pressure and Women
Your heart pushes blood through your blood vessels to reach your tissues and organs. Blood pressure measures the pressure of the blood against your artery walls when your heart beats and between beats.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is when your blood pressure is consistently too high. If high blood pressure isn’t treated, it can lead to many health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Throughout a woman’s life, her risk of developing high blood pressure can change. Pregnancy, pregnancy prevention (birth control) and menopause can all affect your blood pressure. The good news is that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing it.
High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease in Women
A common myth is that high blood pressure rarely affects women. However, nearly half of all adults with high blood pressure are women. Having healthy blood pressure can reduce your risk of heart disease.
Know Your Numbers: Take Charge of Your Blood Pressure
What Your Blood Pressure Reading Means
It’s important to have your blood pressure measured and to understand what your numbers mean.
How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home
The American Heart Association recommends home blood pressure monitoring to help confirm an office diagnosis of high blood pressure and to track progress and guide treatment decisions as part of an integrated care plan.
Find a Validated Blood Pressure Monitor
Some pharmacies, health clinics and fire stations have free monitoring stations. Validate BP is a free resource to help you find a proven and accurate device for home use.
How to Manage High Blood Pressure
By using medications as prescribed and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your blood pressure.
Healthy Blood Pressure at Every Age
Healthy Blood Pressure
Having a healthy blood pressure is important at any age. Learn the blood pressure basics and how you can reduce your risk and live a healthier life.
Pregnancy and Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can develop before, during or after pregnancy. High blood pressure during pregnancy can increase risk of complications for both mom and baby.
Birth Control and Blood Pressure
For most healthy women, hormonal birth control is safe. Women with high blood pressure should talk to their health care professional when choosing a birth control method
Menopause and Blood Pressure
The risk of heart disease rises for everyone as they age. For women, the risk of developing high blood pressure increases after menopause.
Reduce Your Risk: High Blood Pressure and Health Problems
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it doesn’t have any symptoms. But if high blood pressure isn’t treated, it can lead to many health problems, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure.
