[The characteristics of arterial hypertension in postmenopausal women in the area of Blida (Algeria)].

OBJECTIVE: Assess the prevalence, the degree of control, and the comorbidities of hypertension in postmenopausal women.

DESIGNS AND METHODS: This is a cohort descriptive and prospective study conducted in 2years in a population with hypertension treated for arterial hypertension in specialized university hospital in Blida, which included one thousand seven hundred and twenty-one postmenopausal women with amenorrhea fore more than 12 consecutive months. All anthropometric data were recorded. All cardiovascular complications were sought. All calculations and statistical analysis are processed by the SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS: The mean age of onset menopause is 50.7±6.2yearsold. The prevalence of hypertension is 71%, significantly higher in postmenopausal women aged 65 and over. Among women, 82.3% had a systolic arterial pressure>150mmHg and 42.2% had a diastolic arterial pressure>90mmHg. The prevalence of diabetes was 34.8%, and 88.4% presented type 2 diabetes. Tobacco in 1.3%, hypoHDLmia in 52%, the hypertriglyceridemia in 43.5%, obesity in 31.7%. The metabolic syndrome in 57.8%. The major cardiovascular complications observed are: stroke in 26.4%, heart failure in 14.8%, myocardial infarction in 13.2%, renal failure in 10.1%. The control of high blood pressure is achieved only in 31.7%.

CONCLUSIONS: The systolic blood pressure is more important than the diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal women. The cerebral vascular accident remains the most feared complication. The control of hypertension remains not enough and the balance of arterial pressure figures is highly recommended to avoid morbidity and fatal complications.