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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Hypertension, elevated BP, silent killer
“I felt totally fine… until my doctor said my blood pressure was high. I didn’t see it coming.”
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Hypertension, elevated BP, silent killer
“I felt totally fine… until my doctor said my blood pressure was high. I didn’t see it coming.”
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Hypertension, elevated BP, silent killer
“I felt totally fine… until my doctor said my blood pressure was high. I didn’t see it coming.”
What it feels like
Often nothing at all. But some women experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or heart palpitations when it spikes.
Why it catches you off-guard
It’s often discovered during a routine checkup. Estrogen used to help keep your blood vessels soft and responsive—without it, your body has to work harder to regulate pressure.
What it feels like
Often nothing at all. But some women experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or heart palpitations when it spikes.
Why it catches you off-guard
It’s often discovered during a routine checkup. Estrogen used to help keep your blood vessels soft and responsive—without it, your body has to work harder to regulate pressure.
What it feels like
Often nothing at all. But some women experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or heart palpitations when it spikes.
Why it catches you off-guard
It’s often discovered during a routine checkup. Estrogen used to help keep your blood vessels soft and responsive—without it, your body has to work harder to regulate pressure.
You're not alone
More than 50% of postmenopausal women develop high blood pressure.
Reminder:
This isn’t just “aging.” It’s biology—and it’s manageable with the right tools.
You're not alone
More than 50% of postmenopausal women develop high blood pressure.
Reminder:
This isn’t just “aging.” It’s biology—and it’s manageable with the right tools.
You're not alone
More than 50% of postmenopausal women develop high blood pressure.
Reminder:
This isn’t just “aging.” It’s biology—and it’s manageable with the right tools.
What's really happening
High blood pressure is sneaky. Most people don’t feel it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not serious. As estrogen declines, blood vessels become less flexible, and your cardiovascular system loses some of its natural protection. That can raise your blood pressure—and your long-term health risks—without a single symptom.
High blood pressure is sneaky. Most people don’t feel it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not serious. As estrogen declines, blood vessels become less flexible, and your cardiovascular system loses some of its natural protection. That can raise your blood pressure—and your long-term health risks—without a single symptom.
But why?
Estrogen helps blood vessels stay flexible. When levels drop, vessels stiffen and pressure increases.
Estrogen helps blood vessels stay flexible. When levels drop, vessels stiffen and pressure increases.
Scientific Breakdown
Estrogen plays a key role in cardiovascular health by supporting nitric oxide production (which relaxes blood vessels), reducing inflammation, and improving cholesterol balance. During menopause, the loss of estrogen can lead to increased vascular resistance, arterial stiffness, and higher circulating levels of angiotensin (a hormone that raises blood pressure). Combined with other midlife changes like weight gain or sleep disruption, the risk climbs quickly.
• ↓ Estrogen = ↓ nitric oxide → blood vessels lose elasticity
• ↑ Inflammation + ↓ vascular repair = elevated BP
• Changes in metabolism, sleep, and weight gain also contribute
Estrogen plays a key role in cardiovascular health by supporting nitric oxide production (which relaxes blood vessels), reducing inflammation, and improving cholesterol balance. During menopause, the loss of estrogen can lead to increased vascular resistance, arterial stiffness, and higher circulating levels of angiotensin (a hormone that raises blood pressure). Combined with other midlife changes like weight gain or sleep disruption, the risk climbs quickly.
• ↓ Estrogen = ↓ nitric oxide → blood vessels lose elasticity
• ↑ Inflammation + ↓ vascular repair = elevated BP
• Changes in metabolism, sleep, and weight gain also contribute
Essentially…
Think of estrogen like WD-40 for your blood vessels. When it disappears, everything gets a little tighter and harder to move through. That creates pressure—literally.
Think of estrogen like WD-40 for your blood vessels. When it disappears, everything gets a little tighter and harder to move through. That creates pressure—literally.
See a doctor if …
• Your BP reads 130/80 or higher
• You’ve been told you have prehypertension or “borderline” readings
• You’re experiencing headaches, vision changes, or chest pain
• Your BP reads 130/80 or higher
• You’ve been told you have prehypertension or “borderline” readings
• You’re experiencing headaches, vision changes, or chest pain
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Q: Can I lower my BP naturally?
Yes—diet, exercise, and stress management are powerful. Some supplements can help too.
Q: Does HT raise or lower BP?
Transdermal HT often lowers BP or keeps it stable. Oral HT may slightly increase BP for some women.
Q: Will I need meds forever?
Not always. Many women improve with lifestyle changes, HT, or temporary support.
Q: Can I lower my BP naturally?
Yes—diet, exercise, and stress management are powerful. Some supplements can help too.
Q: Does HT raise or lower BP?
Transdermal HT often lowers BP or keeps it stable. Oral HT may slightly increase BP for some women.
Q: Will I need meds forever?
Not always. Many women improve with lifestyle changes, HT, or temporary support.
“My doctor caught it early. I started walking every day, cut back on wine, and began a low-dose patch. Within months, my BP dropped and I felt so much calmer. I didn’t realize I’d been living with silent stress.”
— FLUXX community member, age 54
FLUXX Recommendations
1. Track BP at home and share with your provider
2. Explore HT (especially early in menopause) for cardiovascular support
3. Adopt a heart-supportive diet like DASH or Mediterranean
1. Track BP at home and share with your provider
2. Explore HT (especially early in menopause) for cardiovascular support
3. Adopt a heart-supportive diet like DASH or Mediterranean
Non-Hormonal Medications
ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics (as prescribed)
ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics (as prescribed)
• Omega-3s (from flaxseed, fish oil, or walnuts)
• Hibiscus or green tea
• Garlic extract (shown to modestly reduce BP)
• Magnesium supplements
• Omega-3s (from flaxseed, fish oil, or walnuts)
• Hibiscus or green tea
• Garlic extract (shown to modestly reduce BP)
• Magnesium supplements
Lifestyle Suggestions
• DASH diet: high in potassium, low in sodium
• Regular aerobic movement (30+ minutes, 5 days/week)
• Reduce alcohol, manage stress, improve sleep quality
• DASH diet: high in potassium, low in sodium
• Regular aerobic movement (30+ minutes, 5 days/week)
• Reduce alcohol, manage stress, improve sleep quality
Myth-Busting
High BP doesn’t just affect men—it’s the #1 risk factor for women’s cardiovascular disease after menopause.
High BP doesn’t just affect men—it’s the #1 risk factor for women’s cardiovascular disease after menopause.
Modern Guidance
Manageable with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication. HT is generally safe for women with controlled blood pressure. Regular monitoring, salt reduction, movement, and stress management can all help stabilize it.
Manageable with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication. HT is generally safe for women with controlled blood pressure. Regular monitoring, salt reduction, movement, and stress management can all help stabilize it.
Ask yourself
• “Do I want to try lifestyle changes before medications?”
• “Am I in early menopause and a candidate for HT?”
• “How often should I check my BP at home?”
• “Do I want to try lifestyle changes before medications?”
• “Am I in early menopause and a candidate for HT?”
• “How often should I check my BP at home?”
Ask your doctor
• “Is this spike in BP hormonal?”
• “Should I try HT or natural interventions first?”
• “What’s my long-term risk if we don’t act now?”
• “Is this spike in BP hormonal?”
• “Should I try HT or natural interventions first?”
• “What’s my long-term risk if we don’t act now?”
Untreated high blood pressure increases risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.
Untreated high blood pressure increases risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and cognitive decline.
Feel like yourself again.
FLUXX © 2025
Feel like yourself again.
FLUXX © 2025
Feel like yourself again.
FLUXX © 2025