Sex-Specific Associations of Cardiovascular Risk Factors With Subclinical Cardiac Remodelling: A Magnetic Resonance...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Sex Differences in Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in women, with understudied sex-specific risk factors.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, using left ventricular mass-to-volume ratio (LVMV), assesses early cardiac remodeling.
• This study investigates sex-based differences in how cardiovascular risk factors and diet influence cardiac remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine sex differences in the association between cardiovascular risk factors, diet, and cardiac remodeling.
• To identify specific risk factors linked to cardiac remodeling in men versus women.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 622 age-matched adults (51% female) from the Courtois Cardiovascular Signature Program.
• Measurement of left ventricular mass-to-volume ratio (LVMV) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.
• Assessment of sex-specific associations between cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, triglycerides, alcohol/sugar intake) and LVMV via regression analyses.

Main Results:

• Men exhibited higher triglycerides, alcohol/sugar intake, and LVMV compared to women.
• Hypertension correlated with higher LVMV in both sexes.
• Triglycerides and alcohol intake were male-specific predictors of LVMV, while diabetes and sugar intake were significant in women.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular risk factors differentially affect cardiac remodeling based on sex.
• Men's LVMV linked to triglycerides and alcohol; women's LVMV linked to diabetes and sugar intake.
• Highlights the need for sex-specific cardiovascular prevention strategies addressing metabolic and lifestyle factors.