Pandemic blamed for increased high blood pressure in women – Boston 25 News

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QUINCY, Mass. – The pandemic is causing health problems for many Americans. One more has just been announced after a three-year study carried out by the journal “Circulation”. COVID is now believed to be the cause of increased blood pressure rates in both men and women, but especially women.

“I would agree,” said Alea Mandel of Quincy.

“I am def[initely] more nervous about going out in general when it comes to the social aspect, ”she said.

And while stress is a factor, it’s mostly long-term chronic stress.

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“So many areas of health have deteriorated during this time, and now here is another,” said Dr. James Udelson, cardiologist at Tufts Medical Center.

Dr Udelson said the women in this study had higher blood pressure rates than the men.

“They showed small but big changes in blood pressure in women and men… it was a bit more in women,” Dr. Udelson said.

He adds that over time this has an impact on women’s health.

“These changes have been associated with an increase in heart attacks, strokes and mortality. So these are actually small, big changes in a population, ”said Dr Udelson.

But not all women agree that the pandemic is to blame.

“I don’t think it’s just COVID. They work as much as the men now; they’re all in the workforce, ”said Donna McCone of Braintree.

Still, Mandel said she avoids going out to socialize, works from home and does her Christmas shopping online – stressors she hadn’t faced before the pandemic.

“Mainly because I’m just afraid of being exposed to it, especially as rates go up,” Mandel said.

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And there is another key factor for women, according to Dr. Udelson.

“The burden, the daily burden, is heavier on women just because of the custody of the children and also not being able to work remotely or juggle everything,” he said.

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