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Sex differences in left ventricular function in older persons with mild hypertension
Jimmy G Lim1, Edward P Shapiro, Dhananjay Vaidya
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
American Heart Journal
|November 18, 2005
Summary
Older women with mild hypertension experience greater age-related declines in heart function compared to men. This highlights their increased risk for heart failure due to hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies indicate women face higher heart failure risk from hypertension.
- Sex differences in cardiac function exist in pressure overload conditions.
- Limited data addresses sex differences in cardiac function among older adults with mild hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in cardiac systolic and diastolic function in older adults with mild hypertension.
- To assess the impact of aging on cardiac function in hypertensive women versus men.
Main Methods:
- 107 healthy subjects (55-75 years) with mild hypertension were evaluated.
- Standard echocardiography, tissue Doppler, and color M-mode imaging were employed.
- Blood pressure ranged from 130-159 mm Hg systolic and/or 85-99 mm Hg diastolic.
Main Results:
- Women exhibited lower peak mitral annular systolic velocity (Sm) than men (P < .01).
- In women, aging correlated with reduced diastolic function (decreased Em, Vp; increased E/Vp, E/Em ratios; P < .05 for all).
- No significant age-associated changes in cardiac function were observed in men.
Conclusions:
- Women with mild hypertension show accelerated age-related declines in systolic and diastolic function compared to men.
- Findings support the higher risk of heart failure in older women with hypertension.
- Advanced echocardiographic techniques reveal significant sex-based differences in hypertensive cardiac aging.