Hypertrophy in the female heart.

Several clinical studies have suggested that sex influences the left ventricle's response to altered loading conditions and thus the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Likewise, several of the risk factors associated with the development of hypertrophy exhibit sexual dimorphism in their distribution in the general population. These sex-specific differences in risk factor distribution are likely important modifiers in disease progression and outcome. This review explores the available evidence of sex-specific differences in the evolution of left ventricular hypertrophy.