Are there differences in the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy between hypertensive men and women?

Abstract

Background A large body of evidence suggests different prevalence and pathomechanisms of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) between males and females. The aim of the study was to compare some hemodynamic and neurohumoral factors between hypertensive men and women.
Material and methods The investigations were carried out in 100 patients with primary hypertension and in 31 healthy individuals. Hypertensives were divided into groups according to gender and occurrence of LVH. Each subject underwent blood-pressure measurements and echocardiographic examination. Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone serum concentration (ALDO) and bradykinin plasma concentration (BRADY) were assessed by radioimmunoassay, angiotensin converting enzyme activity (ACE) by spectrophotometric method.
Results LVH was detected in 45% men and 52% women. In hypertensive men some positive correlations between left ventricular mass (LVM) as well as other indicators of LVH and ACE and ALDO were observed, whereas in women only the correlation between IVSDD and log10 (ALDO) was noted. Only in men LVH indeces were associated with blood pressure.
Conclusions Significant correlation between blood pressure and LVH which was observed only in men as well as increased neurohumoral activation in men, may suggest different pathomechanisms of left ventricular remodeling depending on gender.