Roughly half of all adults living in the U.S. have hypertension, with men affected more than women (48 percent versus 43 percent, respectively). However, the sex differences in hypertension prevalence aren’t consistent throughout the lifespan: Women who are 65 and older are more likely to have hypertension than men, raising concerns that current blood pressure recommendations should consider sex. Now, findings from a new study suggest that having an average systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher increases the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (CVD) among women by 113 percent.
Researchers drew on data from more than 53,000 middle-aged adults enrolled in the NHANES studies. Over about ten years, they measured the participants' blood pressures three times and averaged the measures. They also tracked the participants' CVD-related death rates.
They found that links between blood pressure measures and CVD-related deaths differed by sex. Women experience a 61 percent increased risk of cardiovascular death when systolic blood pressure reaches between 130-139 mm Hg, and it soars to 113 percent when at 160 mm Hg or higher. In comparison, men see a 76 percent increased risk only when systolic measures are 160 mm Hg or higher.
When considering diastolic blood pressure, men had a higher risk of dying from CVD if measures were too low (below 70 mm Hg) or too high (80 mm Hg or more), compared to the risk associated with measures between 70 and 80 mm Hg. Again, for women, the risk was higher with diastolic measures that were too low (below 50 mm Hg) or too high (80 mm Hg or higher).
These findings suggest that having high blood pressure markedly increases the risk of death from CVD, and this risk begins at much lower measures among women than men.
Nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, defined as having a systolic pressure of 130 mmHg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure increases a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke and contributes to small vessel disease, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, dementia, and stroke. However, lifestyle factors, such as sauna use, help maintain healthy blood pressure. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Jari Laukkanen.
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