Sex Differences in Cardiomyopathy

• Published in: Current cardiovascular risk reports 2022-10, Vol.16 (11), p.159-170
• Main Authors: Taylor, Christy N., Lau, Emily S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymptomatic; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular disease; Chemotherapy; Clinical outcomes; Coronary vessels; Diabetes; Dyspnea; Ejection fraction; Epidemiology; Etiology; Females; Gender differences; Genetic disorders; Heart failure; Hypertension; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mortality; Mutation; Myocarditis; Pathophysiology; Pregnancy; Risk factors; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Women and Heart Disease; Vein & artery diseases; Women and Heart Disease (E. Michos; Womens health
• ISSN: 1932-9520; 1932-9563
• DOI: 10.1007/s12170-022-00700-3

   Purpose of Review Heart failure (HF) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with unique phenotypes in men and women. Cardiomyopathy is a common cause of HF with distinct sex differences. This review focuses on sex differences in common types of cardiomyopathies. Recent Findings Genetic cardiomyopathies tend to affect men in part due to differences in X-chromosomes, while peripartum cardiomyopathy uniquely affects women of childbearing age. Moreover, women are more likely to develop cardiomyopathies related to emotional distress, inflammatory states, and certain cancer treatments. Sex hormones have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sex differences in cardiomyopathy. Data on sex differences in diagnosis, treatment response, and outcomes remain limited due to significant underrepresentation of women in studies. Finally, pregnancy may be pursued with close monitoring in most cases with notable exceptions, though official guidelines are limited. Summary Striking differences exist in HF between men and women, largely attributable to sex differences in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathies, an important cause of HF. For many cardiomyopathies, presentation, disease trajectories, and treatment responses differ significantly between sexes, yet available data remain limited. Elucidating these sex-specific differences may refine screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiomyopathies. More studies are needed to aid in understanding the nuances between sexes which may enhance tailored preventive and therapeutic strategies for women and men.