Impact of the social environment on blood pressure in women

Abstract

A remarkable increase in life expectancy, a decrease in fertility and delayed first birth as well as increased literacy have all contributed to major changes in women's lifestyles and their social environment. Several factors such as level of education, unemployment and low income have been associated in epidemiological studies with elevations in blood pressure. Social support appears to be an important buffer modulating the cardiovascular effects of a variety of stressors. Studies to date suggest that there may be important gender differences in the way socioenvironmental factors affect blood pressure, thus warranting development of intervention strategies directed uniquely at women.