[Specific characteristics of hypertension in postmenopausal women].

Sex-specific differences in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases have long been known, and estrogens have been considered responsible for this dissimilarity. After the menopause, the consequences of hypertension in women change. Their risks of myocardial infarction and stroke rise, which has in part been ascribed to the loss of estrogen and onset of menopausal metabolic syndrome. Sex differences in the components of the renin-angiotensin system have been shown to exist, and may play a central role in the blood pressure control. Hypertensive menopausal women do not receive optimal treatment. They have poorer prognosis than men of the same age. Therefore, their antihypertensive management calls for special attention.