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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments include the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogens can cause a rise in blood pressure, which is why some forms of the contraceptive pill can raise blood pressure. However, the amount of oestrogen in HRT treatments is very low, and there is no evidence to suggest that taking HRT raises your blood pressure.
You may notice a rise in your blood pressure as you begin to take HRT, but this is likely to be because your blood pressure tends to increase as you get older.
Does HRT (hormone replacement therapy) cause heart attacks or strokes?
Recent research has shown that older women who were taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and who also had heart disease or had had a stroke were slightly more likely to have further heart problems than women who were not taking HRT.
If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, then taking HRT would not be advised, unless you are suffering from very severe symptoms. If this is the case, then HRT should only be taken after discussion with a specialist.
If you do decide to take HRT, then it is important that you try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as this will reduce your overall risk of stroke or heart attack. This means not smoking, being the right weight for your height, eating a low-salt, low-fat diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and being active.
If you are taking HRT, how often should your blood pressure be checked?
If you have high blood pressure and you are taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) you should have your blood pressure checked every few months.
If you do not have high blood pressure and are taking HRT, you should also have your blood pressure checked regularly as it may rise during the menopause as you get older.
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