Why regular blood-pressure checks are vital for women approaching menopause
Dr Tomas Bothe warns that many middle-aged women miss hypertension because routine GP checks often overlook it, and he urges consistent monitoring.
According to Dr Tomas Bothe, hypertension is a silent threat that disproportionately affects women entering menopause, with blood-pressure levels climbing sharply after age 50. A British Medical Journal analysis found that more than one-third of adults in England are hypertensive, and roughly 60% of those individuals do not know it. Conventional GP measurements can be unreliable due to cuff calibration, patient posture, recent activity, and white-coat effects.
The doctor suggests a week-long home-monitoring regimen endorsed by the NHS, though compliance is low. New wearable devices, such as the Hilo wristband from Hilo by Aktiia, offer continuous, hassle-free tracking for about £200 plus a modest subscription. With affordable treatments like ACE inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers available, early detection through regular checks can dramatically cut the risk of fatal cardiovascular events.
