Heart failure in women

Distinct differences in sex hormones and their effects and differences in response to injury, pressure overload, and aging account for many of the differences between women and men with HF. The typical woman with HF is more likely to have HTN, diastolic dysfunction, DM, obesity, and inactivity and is less likely to have CAD or a previous MI or systolic dysfunction. Women are more symptomatic and are perhaps less likely to benefit from established treatments; however, survival is better for women if controlled for age. As the therapeutic options for HF increase, sex-based differences in treatment may need to be considered. Future studies directed exclusively at women may be warranted to confirm or establish benefits of existing and future treatments.