WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD Jan. 24, 2011 -- Middle-
aged women who take steps to lower their blood pressure could
reduce their risk of having a stroke, heart attack, or
developing heart failure, a new study shows. Researchers say
they found that high systolic pressure -- the blood pressure
when the heart contracts -- is a significant risk factor for
cardiovascular disease and its complications in middle-aged and
older women. Doctors say 36% of serious cardiovascular events
such as heart attacks and strokes are preventable by lowering
blood pressure in women, compared to only 24% in men. For the
study, investigators examined data on 9,357 adults in 11
countries in Europe, Asia, and South America for a median of 11
years. The researchers looked for absolute and relative risks of
cardiovascular disease that were associated with systolic blood
pressure. They report that three major risk factors account for
85% of the modifiable risk for heart disease in men and women --
high systolic (the top number) b