Hipertensión arterial, menopausia y compromiso cognitivo

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the first cause of mortality in women in most parts of the world. In spite of this fact, the risk of CVD is still underestimated in women. Hypertension (HTN) is one of the main determinants of this risk, and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide, especially in women over the age of 60. Even though the decrease or loss of estrogens has an impact on blood pressure (BP) regulation, the role of menopause in the pathogenesis of HTN during this period is controversial. Vascular brain damage secondary to HTN increases the risk of cognitive impairment (CI) and/or dementia. Women are more susceptible to these damages due to their longer life expectancy, together with the loss of the neuroprotective effects of estrogens. This review intends to show the relationships between HTN, menopause and CI in women.