Hypertension, or high blood pressure, symptoms differ greatly between men and women. About 31 percent of Americans have high blood pressure and another 25 percent have prehypertension, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The CDC says that prior to age 44, hypertension affects men more than women, but after age 44, women are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure. According to an article in the May 2005 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Hypertension," gender differences in hypertension are so great as to require separate treatment protocols. In June 2010, the American Heart Association suggested a new gender-specific formula to calculate high blood pressure.
Erectile Dysfunction
Men suffering from hypertension are at greater risk of developing erectile dysfunction, the inability to maintain or even develop an erection. Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and arteries in the body, including those that lead to the penis. In the October 2000 issue of the "Journal of Urology, Dr. Martin Burchardt wrote that not only does erectile dysfunction manifest more often in men with hypertension, hypertensive men also suffer more extreme symptoms of erectile dysfunction than men with erectile dysfunction who do not have hypertension.
Andropause
Male menopause, or andropause, is a condition that develops in older men that corresponds to a drop in testosterone levels. Testosterone is the male sexual hormone. In the October 2000 issue of the "Hypertension," Dr. Christine Maric writes that developing hypertension increases the likelihood of developing andropause. The chances of developing andropause increase even in younger men who have hypertension.
Eye Damage
Men with malignant hypertension, very high blood pressure, are at increased risk of developing eye damage over time. Although rare, a person with malignant hypertension experiences a very sudden, sharp increase in his blood pressure. Men are more likely than women to develop malignant hypertension. In malignant hypertension, the optic nerve swells. Blood vessels in the eye may narrow or block. An individual may also experience retinal bleeding or other serious problems with the retina.
References
- CDC: High Blood Pressure Facts
- "The Journal of Clinical Hypertension"; Gender and Blood Pressure; Suzanne Oparil, MD; May 2005
- American Heart Association: New Gender-Specific Formula
- "The Journal of Urology"; Hypertension is Associated with Severe Erectile Dysfunction; Martin Burchardt M.D.; October 2000
- "Hypertension"; Mechanisms of Fetal Programming of Adult Hypertension; Christine Maric, Ph.D.; 2007
