Hypertension is more prevalent in men than in women and even more in those of low socio-economic status though menopause tends to decrease this difference. This gender disparity is common in hypertension. Before menopause, blood pressure is significantly lower in women than in age-matched men. However, the incidence/s of hypertension increases dramatically in women following menopause, eventually approximating the incidence in men . Although the mechanism underlying this increase is unknown, the loss of oestrogen traditionally has been considered the primary factor.