- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
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Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns. She is director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
Definition (3)
- White-coat hypertension: When blood pressure rises at the doctor's office
- Isolated systolic hypertension: A health concern?
- Blood pressure: Is it affected by weather?
Risk factors (2)
- Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
- Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
Symptoms (1)
- Pulse pressure: An indicator of heart health?
Causes (5)
- Caffeine: How does it affect blood pressure?
- Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?
- Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home?
- see all in Causes
Complications (1)
- Hypertensive crisis: What are the symptoms?
Treatments and drugs (5)
- Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?
- Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides?
- Diuretics: A cause of low potassium?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (9)
- Resperate: Can it help reduce blood pressure?
- Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?
- High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
- see all in Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine (1)
- L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure?
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Question
Menopause and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
Is there a connection between menopause and high blood pressure?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Blood pressure generally increases after menopause. Likewise, postmenopausal women have a higher risk of high blood pressure than do premenopausal women — which suggests that the hormonal and biochemical changes of menopause may play a role in high blood pressure.
Menopause-related hormonal changes can lead to increased salt sensitivity and weight gain — which, in turn, can lead to higher blood pressure. For some women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause also may contribute to increases in blood pressure.
To control your blood pressure both before and after menopause, focus on a healthy lifestyle:
- Lose excess weight.
- Eat heart-healthy foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet.
- Include physical activity in your daily routine.
- Limit or avoid alcohol.
- If you smoke, stop.
If necessary, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure.
Next questionAlcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
- A special message for women. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2123. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Risk factors you can control or treat. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3017030. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Lee LV, et al. Cardiovascular disease in women. Current Atherosclerosis Reports. 2008;10(4):295-302.
- Hormone replacement therapy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/issues/hrt.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
