Many women enter midlife with a surprising statistic: After age 45, women are more likely than men to develop high blood pressure. Why? Estrogen protects blood vessels; as it declines, arteries stiffen. Metabolism slows, affecting sodium sensitivity. Sleep disturbances raise blood pressure. Chronic stress from caregiving and work adds to vascular strain. The danger is that high blood pressure has no symptoms. Many women only discover it during a routine check—or after a scare. Data shows: Women with untreated hypertension have a 70% higher risk of heart failure. Even a 10-point rise in systolic pressure increases stroke risk by about 20%. Only 1 in 4 women with high blood pressure have it adequately controlled. What helps: Potassium-rich foods (greens, bananas, beans) reduce blood pressure. Daily brisk walking lowers systolic pressure by 5–8 points. Limiting alcohol improves heart health dramatically. Home blood pressure monitoring is strongly recommended. Your heart is adjusting to a new hormonal era — and supporting it now can literally save your life. #HeartHealth #WomensHealth #BloodPressure