A certified menopause coach and Founder of the Menopause Support Initiative, Pharm. Mosunmola Dosunmu, has warned that women nearing menopause face a higher risk of developing hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to hormonal changes linked to the condition.
Dosunmu, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, explained that many women often ignore symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, and rising blood pressure without realising they may be connected to menopause.
According to her, the drop in estrogen levels during menopause plays a major role in increasing cardiovascular risks. She noted that estrogen helps protect the heart and blood vessels, and its reduction can cause blood vessels to stiffen, increase bad cholesterol levels, and raise the likelihood of hypertension and stroke.
She urged women to monitor their blood pressure regularly and adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce their risk of complications. Her recommendations included reducing salt and processed food intake while eating more fruits, vegetables, fish, oats, and nuts.
Dosunmu also advised women to exercise daily, maintain healthy sleep habits, manage stress effectively, stay hydrated, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
She warned women not to ignore symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and persistent headaches, stressing that early intervention could help prevent severe health complications.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Hypertension Society recently raised concerns about the growing burden of hypertension in the country, revealing that one in three Nigerian adults is living with high blood pressure, while fewer than 20 percent achieve proper control of the condition.
The society’s president, Prof. Simeon Isezuo, described hypertension as a leading preventable cause of death and disability, warning that many Nigerians remain unaware of their condition until they suffer serious complications such as stroke, kidney failure, or heart disease.
He blamed the worsening crisis on poor awareness, late diagnosis, weak healthcare systems, stress, unhealthy lifestyles, and the rising cost of medications and healthy living due to economic hardship.
