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Current Atherosclerosis Reports

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01-03-2018 | Women and Ischemic Heart Disease (A. Maran, Section Editor)

Gender Differences in Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Hypertension

Authors: Paolo Di Giosia, Paolo Giorgini, Cosimo Andrea Stamerra, Marco Petrarca, Claudio Ferri, Amirhossein Sahebkar

Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to examine gender differences in both the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension and to explore gender peculiarities on the effects of antihypertensive agents in decreasing BP and CV events.

Recent Findings

Men and women differ in prevalence, awareness, and control rate of hypertension in an age-dependent manner. Studies suggest that sex hormones changes play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Estrogens influence the vascular system inducing vasodilatation, inhibiting vascular remodeling processes, and modulating the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system and the sympathetic system. This leads to a protective effect on arterial stiffness during reproductive age that is dramatically reversed after menopause.

Summary

Data on the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy between genders are conflicting, and the underrepresentation of aged women in large clinical trials could influence the results. Therefore, further clinical research is needed to uncover potential gender differences in hypertension to promote the development of a gender-oriented approach to antihypertensive treatment.

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Title: Gender Differences in Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Hypertension
Authors: Paolo Di Giosia
Paolo Giorgini
Cosimo Andrea Stamerra
Marco Petrarca
Claudio Ferri
Amirhossein Sahebkar
Publication date: 01-03-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1523-3804
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6242
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-018-0716-z

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