Blood Pressure in Women
Almost 60 million women (45.7%) in the United States have high blood pressure or take medication to control their blood pressure. This includes nearly 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. Despite this, high blood pressure is often underdiagnosed in women, and fewer than 1 in 4 women with high blood pressure have their blood pressure under control.
High blood pressure occurs in both men and women, but women may have additional risk factors related to pregnancy, hormonal birth control, and menopause. High blood pressure is also a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms, but over time, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems. When women do experience symptoms, they may include headaches, chest pain, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
Learn more about Women and Heart Disease from the HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including information on symptoms and risk factors.
Theme
National Women's Blood Pressure Awareness Week (NWBPAW) is a time to raise awareness of women's health conditions related to hypertension, or high blood pressure. Each year, the observance highlights key topics and encourages women to take steps to protect and improve their heart health.
Promoting “Strong Hearts: Everyday Actions for Blood Pressure Control and Lifelong Health” means making heart healthy habits part of everyday life. The theme emphasizes practical actions women can take to maintain healthy blood pressure and protect their heart health while reinforcing the connection between blood pressure and chronic disease risk across the lifespan. It also highlights key life transitions, including pregnancy, the postpartum period, and perimenopause/menopause, when blood pressure can change. During these transitions, and throughout life, preventive actions such as regular blood pressure checks, heart healthy eating, staying physically active, improving sleep, managing stress, and working with health care providers to understand and manage risks can help women keep their hearts healthy.
To further reinforce this focus, the Presidential Message on American Heart Month emphasizes a national call to action for Americans to “take charge of their health” by adopting targeted lifestyle choices and preventive measures proven to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and chronic disease. The message also highlights the Administration's commitment to addressing the root causes of chronic disease through stronger prevention, improved access to affordable treatments, and efforts led by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. This national emphasis on prevention, early action, and empowerment complements NWBPAW's mission to equip women with practical tools to control blood pressure and improve long-term health outcomes.