WomenBloom has partnered with Health Central Network to provide you with information on a variety of health topics of concern to midlife women. 

There is a LOT of information out there about women's health so we've done the legwork for you by searching the Web high and low for a resource that provides you with the information you'll find helpful.

During the last decade, the number of Americans with high blood pressure has increased by 30 percent. Over 65 million American adults now have high blood pressure, and this condition affects close to 1 billion people worldwide. Less than half of these people are on medication, however, and only about half of this group have their blood pressure under good control with such drugs. Older people are less likely to be treated adequately. The majority of people with high blood pressure have the mild type, but even this condition requires attention.

Age and Gender

Age is the major risk factor of hypertension. Blood pressure increases with age in both men and women, and in fact, the lifetime risk for hypertension is nearly 90%. Two-thirds of Americans over age 60 have hypertension. Older women (60 years and above) currently have the highest rates of hypertension, and mortality rates from hypertension are higher in women than in men. Hypertension is also becoming more common in children and teenagers.

Read more...

Excerpt provided by Health Central Network.  "Copyright 2008 The Health Central Network, Inc.  All rights reserved."