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Sex differences in pharmacotherapy for heart failure
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ewha Medical Journal
|July 24, 2025
Summary
Sex differences impact heart failure (HF) medication effectiveness and side effects. Personalized treatment strategies considering these biological variations are essential for improved patient outcomes in HF pharmacotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) poses significant public health challenges with high morbidity and mortality.
- Current pharmacological management of HF has limitations in addressing sex-related differences.
- A gap exists in understanding how biological sex influences HF treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and clarify the impact of sex on clinical outcomes of HF medications.
- To highlight sex-specific differences in drug responses and adverse effects in HF patients.
- To emphasize the need for sex-informed approaches in HF pharmacotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical trials and relevant studies.
- Analysis of data focusing on sex-based variations in HF medication efficacy.
- Examination of adverse event profiles stratified by sex.
Main Results:
- Significant differences observed between men and women in drug responses and adverse effects.
- Evidence suggests current HF treatments may not be equally effective or safe for all sexes.
- Sex-specific patterns in HF pharmacotherapy outcomes are evident across various studies.
Conclusions:
- A nuanced, sex-specific approach to HF pharmacotherapy is crucial.
- Increased representation of women in clinical trials is needed.
- Tailoring HF treatments based on biological sex advances precision medicine and improves patient care.
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