Page 2 - hypertension_newsletter3

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Hypertension Global Newsletter #3 Hype
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
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Sex differences in arterial hypertension: A scientific statement from the ESC Council
on Hypertension, The European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Association
of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions, the ESC Council for Cardiology
Practice, and the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.

Gerdts E, et al. Eur J Heart. 2022; Online Ahead of Print.

Summary of Sex Differences in Hypertension There is evidence that sex
chromosomes and sex hormones
may influence BP regulation, CV risk
factors, and comorbidities differently
in females and males with essential
arterial hypertension. This consensus
document provides a comprehensive
overview of current knowledge on sex
differences in essential hypertension,
including BP over the life course,
development of hypertension,
pathophysiologic mechanisms
regulating BP, interaction of BP with
CV risk factors and comorbidities,
hypertension-mediated organ damage
in the heart and arteries, impact on
incident CV disease, and differences
in the effect of antihypertensive
treatment.

Sex Differences in BP Development Over the Life Course BP development in females and males during childhood,
Healthy young females have lower BP than males at similar age adolescence, and early adulthood
but experience a steeper increase in BP from the third decade
of life.

Sex Differences in BP Regulators, CV Risk Factors, and
Comorbidities
The activity of autonomic and endocrine BP regulators differs
between sexes and may influence drug efficacy and adverse
effects. The prevalence and influence of traditional risk factors
on CVD vary between females and males. Sex-specific CV risk
factors in males include erectile dysfunction and androgenic
alopecia, while females undergo important changes in sex
hormones throughout their life course that impact CV risk, such
as pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders and polycystic
ovary syndrome.

With regards to sex differences in conventional CV risk factors
and comorbidities, age, obesity, metabolic syndrome (after
menopause), autoimmune disorders, and reduced eGFR are

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