The link between high blood pressure and menopause is a bit complex. While there is great indication that blood pressure increases with menopause, there's not a clear understanding of why this happens.

There are many factors that are being considered such as age, and weight gain which happens as women get older. However, recent studies suggest that declining estrogen levels may be the main contributing factor for elevated blood pressure in menopausal women. As an example, pre-menopausal women tend to have lower distolic, and sytolic pressure than men, but as women go into menopause, their systolic pressure increases to become slightly higher than that of men.

Hormone replacement therapy may also contribute to blood pressure increase. Women who are on hormone replacement therapy may experience a slight systolic blood pressure increase. These women are also 25 percent more likely to have high blood pressure than are women who don't take hormone replacement.

For menopausal women who are experiencing slight increase in blood pressure, some simple lifestyle changes can help avoid having to take blood pressure lowering drugs. In addition, there is a large body of evidence that shows that certain foods, and natural supplements are also effective in lowering blood pressure.

The following lifestyle changes are the first line of intervention to lower blood pressure.

Reduce the sodium in your diet.

Increase your physical activity. All it takes are 30 minutes of moderate exercise  3 times a week to experience some blood pressure lowering benefits. You can even break up those 30 minutes in 10 or 15 minutes intervals.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Adopt a healthy eating plan such as the DASH diet plan.

Limit alcohol intake to no more than 2 ounces daily

Avoid tobacco use