Menopause Related Blood Pressure Increase and its Relation to Anthropometric Measurements in Saudi Females

Arjumand Warsy¹, Nashwa Othman¹*, Zaineb Habib², M. Addar¹, Abeer AlD bass¹ and Mohammad Alanazi²

¹Department of Biochemistry, College of Science; *Central Laboratory, Center for Science and Medical Studies for Girls,

²Department of Ob/Gyn., College of Medicine, King Saud University King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Corresponding Author E-mail: aswarsy@ksu.edu.sa

ABSTRACT: Hypertension is a frequently encountered multifactorial disorder and its prevalence is reported to increase in postmenopausal females. This study was carried out to identify the nature of correlation between anthropometric measures and hypertension in pre- and post menopausal Saudi females. The study group comprised of 126 females (18 to 75 years), grouped as premenopausal (94) and postmenopausal (32). The body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio and hip circumference were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the premenopausal females (27.015.45 Kg/m2, 0.770.06, 81.3812.4 cm, respectively) compared to their postmenopausal counterpart (29.853.63 Kg/m2, 0.870.07 and 96.77.2 cm, respectively), though the weight and waist circumference did not differ significantly. The systolic blood pressure (bp) range (mean ±2SD) was 111.111.42 mm/Hg in the premenopausal and 124.7218.98 mm/Hg in postmenopausal females (p<0.001), while the diastolic bp range was 72.310.10 mm/Hg and 74.6611.35 mm/Hg in the two groups, respectively (p>0.05). Prevalence of abnormality of systolic and diastolic bp was significantly higher in the postmenopausal females (37.5 % and 28.13 %, respectively), compared to 4.3 % and 7.4 % in the premenopausal group. Both BMI and waist/hip ratio showed a significant and positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p< 0.001). It was concluded that the both systolic and diastolic blood pressure are higher in the postmenopausal Saudi females. There is an associated increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this group and this may be an important factor contributing to blood pressure elevation. Since control in BMI can play a significant role in control of blood pressure and since there is a possibility of controlling BMI with proper life style and dietary intervention, there is an urgent need to implement programs for the control of anthropometric measurements in Saudi females, in an attempt to reduce hypertension and hence its associated complications.

KEYWORDS: Hypertension; BMI; premenopausal; postmenopausal; waist/hip ratio; systolic blood pressure

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