One possible reason for the discrepancy in the occurrence of high blood pressure among employed married women in spite of the added stress is due to the presence of estrogen in their body (Schenck-Gustaffon & Al-Khalili, 1998). When an individual experiences a stressful situation or event, such as work, the sympathetic-adrenal medullar system of the body releases epinephrine and norepinephrine 3 hormones, collectively called catecholamines.
These hormones results in an increase in heart rate, mental activity and blood pressure. Studies have found that levels of catecholamine increase more in men who experience stress as opposed to women (Lundberg, 1998; James & Brown, 1997; Sorensen et al. , 1985). In the case of women, studies have found that although they experience high levels of catecholamine after work and when they reach home, lower levels of catecholamine hormones are measured during the time when women are ovulating.
Researchers have attributed this to the presence of estrogen. When a woman ovulates, estrogen hormone in her system also increases. Initial findings have noted that estrogen hormones actually decreases the resistance of blood vessels in reference to blood flow as well as body fat distribution, coagulation factors and levels of lipids.
This could generally explain as to why high blood pressure is more prevalent among women who have entered menopause since the level of estrogen in their system is lower than younger women regardless of marital status and why in spite of the increase of responsibilities brought about by entering the working environment, high blood pressure as a result of stress is less prevalent among employed married women than men (Lundberg, 1998; James & Brown, 1997; Schneck-Gustffon & Al-Khalili, 1998; Sorensen et al. , 1985).