Sex-specific cardiac and vascular responses to hypertension in Chinese populations without overt cardiovascular diseases

Objective The aim of current study was to evaluate sex-specific cardiac and vascular responses to hypertension in Chinese populations without overt cardiovascular disease.Methods This was a cross-sectional study and participants were enrolled in outpatient clinic between January 2017 and December 2019. Transthoracic echocardiographic measurements were performed to evaluate cardiac and vascular structure and function.Results Among 486 participants, women account for 36.2% (n = 176). Compared to men, women were younger, had shorter duration of hypertension, and more likely to be abdominal obesity. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were similar, but women had higher mean pulse pressure (PP) than men. After adjustment for covariates, women had higher E/e’ ratio and arterial elastance (Ea). The proportion of patients with concentric remodeling was higher in women (14.7% vs 9.5%). Increased SBP was associated with relative wall thickness (RWT), stroke volume (SV) index, E/e’ ratio and Ea in both women and men, and the magnitude of the association between SBP and E/e’ ratio was greater in women than in men (Pinteraction = 0.04). Increased DBP was associated with RWT and Ea in both women and men with similar magnitude. Increased PP was associated with RWT, E/e’ ratio and Ea in both women and men, and the magnitude of the association between PP and Ea was greater in women than in men (Pinteraction = 0.03).Conclusion In conclusion, the current study indicates cardiac and vascular responses to hypertension are greater in women than in men, manifesting as an increased estimated LV filling pressure and arterial elastance in women.