What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which the blood pressure inside your arteries is too high. The higher the pressure, the greater the strain on your heart and arteries. The condition usually has no symptoms, but it can lead to serious health problems like a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of high blood pressure in women
It has been analyzed that high blood pressure is mainly asymptomatic. Therefore, it is also known as the ‘silent condition’. Specifically, in older women, symptoms of blood pressure can rarely be noticed. For several years women have suffered from blood pressure, and when it reaches its limit, it causes serious health problems like a heart attack or stroke. Even when blood pressure for women comes at a high level, it does not show any symptoms. However, after many years of research, some signs have been identified, which are as follows,
- Eyes with red spots in the front
- Skin flushing
- Dizziness
Although, these symptoms sometimes show and are disabled, mainly in older women. Therefore, the best way to monitor high blood pressure for women is through regular checkups for blood pressure. The risk of high blood pressure increases as people get older, regardless of gender or sex.
Main reasons for high blood pressure for women
- Overweight
- Consuming too much salt and avoid eating vegetables and fruits
- Lack of exercising
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Lack of proper sleep
- Age over 65
- Oral health
Yes, oral health or oral bacteria can be a possible reason for high blood pressure in women. Here is some data regarding how oral bacteria is associated with high blood pressure for women.
Association between high blood pressure and oral bacteria
As reported by American Heart Association, “In a study of more than 1,200 women in the U.S., average age 63 years, ten kinds of oral bacteria were associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, while five strains of bacteria were linked with lower hypertension risk.”
A new study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association has stated that few oral bacteria are associated with hypertension, specifically for older women. An observational study did not state any strong proof regarding its effect and cause. Nevertheless, analysis of the findings showed that there is a possibility that proper oral care can improve hypertension in older women, which is associated with high blood pressure.
Older women going through their postmenopausal phase have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure or hypertension, which is caused by some oral bacteria. Michael J. LaMonte [Ph.D. and M.P.H.] is one of the senior authors of the research study, has stated, “Since periodontal disease and hypertension are especially prevalent in older adults, if a relationship between the oral bacteria and hypertension risk could be established, there may be an opportunity to enhance hypertension prevention through increased, targeted oral care.” The study analysis has found that ten types of oral bacteria are linked with a 10%-16% high risk of having blood pressure. Here is the link to the article –
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.121.021930
