As many women will attest, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause a lot of discomfort. Apart from the migraines, body pains and fatigue, a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has revealed that those who experience severe symptoms of PMS are at the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Researchers from Massachusetts University analyzed the data of 3,500 women above 25-years-old for two decades. The scientists would follow up on their study subjects every two years and ask the women if they received any high blood pressure diagnosis. About a third of the participants were said to have had PMS symptoms and at least 40 percent were likely at risk of high blood pressure, per Live Science. The researchers also considered other factors in their analysis, including smoking habits, weight, exercise and family history of high blood pressure, per Daily Mail.
"Hypertension is among the strongest predictors of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease in women," said researcher Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson in the report. "Evidence suggests that prevalence in young women is increasing and despite the availability of effective treatments, less than half of hypertension in women younger than 40 years of age is treated."
The experts found out that the blood vessels of women with PMS are different from those who don't experience the condition, but this monthly inconvenience can actually be preventable if not avoided altogether. In order to do this, the experts suggested women with PMS increase their intake of vitamin B, thiamine and riboflavin supplements in their daily diet. Their study showed that, for women who have these nutrients regularly, the propensity for suffering from PMS is significantly lessened or absent. Shape Magazine reported that, aside from the supplements, Vitamin B may also be obtained from eating dark green and leafy vegetables, lean protein and yogurt.
Another expert who was not part of the study suggested women with bad PMS must also undergo screening regularly in order to keep their blood pressure in check and prevent life-threatening conditions. "We are seeing hypertension increase in women younger and younger," said Women's Heart Health Doctor Suzanne Steinbaum. "And now we are really honing in on who is at risk for high blood pressure and subsequent heart disease."
Steinbaum also lauded the study authors for helping "understand that what is happening to a woman - and [how] her entire body - is going to affect her cardiovascular risk."
"This is the first large, long-term study to suggest that PMS may be related to risk of chronic health conditions in later life," said the study authors.
