Ways to Avoid Blood Pressure Increase at Menopause; Testosterone Predominance Increases Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome During the Menopausal Transition; Current Exercise Recommendations May Not be Sufficient for Overweight Women to Sustain Weight Loss

Women's systolic B/P increases with menopause. Recommendations are provided to help reduce B/P that include: a) exercise, b) healthy eating, c) reduction of dietary sodium, d) limiting alcohol intake, and e) healthy weight. As testosterone progressively dominates the hormonal environment during menopause, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases and may increase risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition to limiting calories, overweight and obese women may need to exercise 55 minutes/day for 5 days/week to sustain a weight loss of 10% over two years.