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. 2013 Nov 27;3(4):352–356. doi: 10.1038/kisup.2013.76

Table 1. Clinical recommendations for high blood pressure in women.

• Encourage an optimal blood pressure of <120/80 mm Hg through lifestyle approaches
• Pharmacotherapy is indicated when blood pressure is ⩾140/90 mm Hg
• Women generally respond to antihypertensive drugs similarly to men but there are special considerations:
 ACEIs, ARBs, direct renin inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid antagonists are contraindicated for women who are or intend to become pregnant
 Diuretics useful in some elderly women at risk because of a decreased risk of hip fracture
 However, women are more likely to develop diuretic-induced hyponatremia and hypokalemia
 ACEI-induced cough is three times as common in women as in men
 Women more likely to complain of CCB-related peripheral edema and minoxidil-induced hirsutism