Israeli study: normal blood pressure in men – may cause stroke in women

Medicine does not correctly measure blood pressure in women and this may endanger their lives: A new study led by the Sheba Medical Center found that blood pressure values ​​that were considered normal in women, increase the risk of stroke. In light of the findings, the researchers believe that it will be necessary to change the normal values ​​of blood pressure. The study was conducted by Prof. Gilad Twig from the Gartner Institute and Dr. Boris Fishman from the Heart Center at Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center, in collaboration with researchers from Ariel, Reichman, Tel Aviv, Hebrew, Technion, NYU universities, from the Ministry of Health and the Medical Corps.

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the blood vessels during heart function. It consists of two values: “systolic” blood pressure, the higher number of the two, refers to the pressure of the blood stream on the arteries when the heart contracts, and diastolic blood pressure, the lower number of the two, is the pressure of the blood stream on the arteries when the heart relaxes. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it gives no signs, until it causes devastating damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and other organs.

The new study was presented this week at the American Cardiology Conference in Chicago and published at the same time in the NEJM Evidence journal. It was compiled on the basis of information accumulated over about 28 years, from which it appears that women with blood pressure values ​​that are apparently defined as normal, are at a higher risk of stroke than men. The reason is likely to be based on norm values ​​determined based on studies that mainly included men.

The researchers showed that in young boys (ages 16 to 19) a diastolic blood pressure above 80 mmHg significantly increases the risk of a stroke at a young age (less than 52), but in girls the risk of a stroke was increased even when the diastolic blood pressure was above 70 MMC In contrast to the risk arising from diastolic blood pressure above 80 mmHg, systolic blood pressure above 120 mmHg was not a risk factor for stroke at a young age.

The researchers also found that at young ages one of the components of blood pressure, the diastolic (the “lower” number of the two blood pressure values), has a greater weight in predicting the future chance of a stroke. These findings, according to the researchers, reinforce the need to review blood pressure at a young age, taking into account the difference between the sexes.

Prof. Gilad Twig, head of the team of researchers, told “Maariv” that all over the world there is a significant increase in strokes among people under the age of 50, especially among young women, and that the study points to the need for a more precise definition of normal blood pressure values, which have been determined so far Based on amplifier measurements.

“Since the development of the first device in the 19th century until today, measuring blood pressure remains a very important measurement for reflecting a person’s health status, even in today’s modern and technological era,” says Prof. Twigg. “In our research, we defined the range of blood pressure values ​​that increase the risk of stroke, even when the values ​​seem apparently not particularly high. These findings emphasize the need to conduct periodic blood pressure measurements in accordance with the guidelines accepted in the world and in Israel, and in any case of abnormal values ​​it is necessary to follow the findings Incorrect values ​​may over time constitute a ‘ticking time bomb’ and endanger lives.”