[Hypertension]

Abstract

Hypertension is the largest risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the most common life-style related disease in Japan. Hypertension is, overall, a male-dominant disease, however its impact on CVD in female grows markedly after menopause. The alteration in estrogen/androgen balance causes endothelial dysfunction, obesity, sympathetic activation, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, salt sensitivity and oxidative stress. These mechanisms enhance the elevation of systemic blood pressure and get caught in a vicious circle in female hypertension.