Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women globally, yet awareness and detection of risk factors, particularly hypertension, often lag behind other health priorities. Hormonal transitions such as menopause can significantly influence blood pressure regulation and vascular health, making midlife a critical period for preventive monitoring and early intervention. To address persistent gaps in awareness and care, OMRON Healthcare has released the Women’s Heart Health Factbook, highlighting the unique cardiovascular risks women face and the importance of proactive monitoring. In this interview with MedTech Spectrum, Archanna Mohangoo, MSc, Medical Marketing Manager EMEA (Medical Marketing OHE) at OMRON Healthcare, discusses the motivation behind the report, the impact of menopause on cardiovascular health, and how home blood pressure monitoring and digital health technologies can support earlier detection and better long-term management of hypertension in women.

What motivated OMRON Healthcare to develop the Women’s Heart Health Factbook, and what key gaps in awareness or clinical practice does the report aim to address regarding hypertension and cardiovascular risk in women?

For Global Comms to respond to, but I would like to highlight some facts:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide, yet awareness of this fact remains low compared to other health conditions. Women’s cardiovascular risk is often underestimated, and symptoms may present differently than in men, which can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis1.

At OMRON Healthcare, we aim to raise awareness of women‑specific heart health risks, especially high blood pressure, and to support earlier detection and prevention.

Koothirezhi, R. (2023). Postmenopausal Syndrome. In R. Koothirezhi, & S. Ranganathan, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560840/. StatPearls.

The Factbook highlights menopause as a major turning point for cardiovascular health. How does declining estrogen influence blood pressure regulation and vascular health, and what should clinicians and patients be more aware of during this stage of life?

Menopause is a major life stage for women, and it comes with changes in the body that can affect the heart and blood vessels.  Estrogen helps improve cholesterol by increasing the “good” HDL and lowering the “bad” LDL, which can lower the risk of heart disease. Estrogen also helps relax and dilate blood vessels, promoting healthy blood flow. Additionally, it acts as an antioxidant by neutralising free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage blood vessels and other tissues1. As estrogen levels decline when menopause starts, blood vessels can become less flexible, and blood pressure may start to rise. After menopause, due to persistently low estrogen levels, postmenopausal women face an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
The challenge is that these changes often happen quietly, without obvious warning signs. Many symptoms, such as tiredness or palpitations, are often seen as only menopausal symptoms2. Both women and healthcare professionals should be aware that menopause is also a key time to pay closer attention to blood pressure and overall heart health.

ClevelandclinicEstrogenandHeartHealth, n.d.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen

With only a small proportion of women achieving effective blood pressure control globally, what are the main barriers to diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of hypertension in women, and how can healthcare systems address this care gap?

There are several reasons. High blood pressure often has no clear symptoms, so many women do not know they have it. Only around 10 per cent of hypertensive women are detected, treated, and achieve adequate blood pressure control1. In addition, women’s cardiovascular risk has traditionally received less attention, which can delay diagnosis and treatment2.
Another issue is that blood pressure is often only measured during doctor visits, which may not reflect everyday levels. Stress, daily routines, and lifestyle factors can all influence blood pressure outside the clinic. 

Improving control requires better awareness, more consistent monitoring, and a stronger focus on prevention—especially during midlife, when risk begins to rise.

Newson, L. (Mar 2018). Menopause and cardiovascular disease. Post Reprod Health, 44-49.

Satish, P. (May 2024). Understanding the spectrum of cardiovascular risk in women - A primer for prevention. Prog Cardiovasc Dis, 84:34-42.

How can home blood pressure monitoring and digital health technologies help improve early detection and long-term management of hypertension among women, particularly during and after menopause?

Home blood pressure monitoring allows women to track their blood pressure regularly in their own environment, rather than relying on occasional measurements in a medical setting. This provides a clearer picture of how blood pressure behaves over time and helps identify problems earlier and support better long‑term control.

Digital health tools can make this process easier by helping women store, track, and understand their readings, and by supporting communication with healthcare professionals. For women during and after menopause, this combination can be especially valuable, as blood pressure may change during this period without obvious symptoms.

Together, these tools can support more informed and timely care.

Many symptoms associated with menopause—such as fatigue, palpitations, and sleep disturbances—can overlap with cardiovascular conditions. How can healthcare providers differentiate between menopause-related symptoms and potential warning signs of conditions such as hypertension or atrial fibrillation to ensure timely intervention?

Symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, or sleep disturbances are common during menopause, but they can also be signs of possible heart conditions. The risk is that potential heart issues may be overlooked if symptoms are automatically attributed to hormonal changes1.
The key is not to guess, but to measure. Simple, objective checks, such as regular blood pressure monitoring and, when appropriate, heart rhythm assessment, can help healthcare providers detect signs of underlying heart disease. This ensures that women receive timely attention and treatment when needed.

McSweeney, J. (Nov 2003). Women's early warning symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Circulation, 25;108(21):2619-23.

Looking ahead, what role can medtech innovation, data-driven monitoring, and preventive screening play in improving cardiovascular outcomes for women across different life stages?

Medical technology can support a shift from reactive care to earlier prevention. Clinically validated monitoring devices, combined with digital solutions, can help identify cardiovascular risk sooner and support long‑term management across different stages of a woman’s life.
From our perspective, technology is most effective when combined with education and preventive screening. By giving women better tools and clearer information, and by supporting healthcare professionals with reliable data, we can help reduce long‑standing gaps in cardiovascular outcomes between women and men. Collaboration between healthcare professionals, industry, and health systems will be key to making this impact meaningful.