The main pumping chamber of the human heart ages differently in men than it does in women, according to new study led by investigators at Johns Hopkins.
In the federally funded study, researchers analyzed the MRI scans of nearly 3,000 aging adult hearts. The analysis revealed significant differences in heart changes between males and females, changes which may support different approaches in treatment for the men and women afflicted with heart disease.
Unlike prior studies, the researchers behind the new study — which was published online in the journal Radiology — were able to re-examine the same people down the road; this as opposed to examinations conducted at a singular point in time. As a result, they were able to assess long-term changes which, according to Dr. John Eng with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, is “a more reliable way to assess left ventricular changes over time.”
We had the opportunity to re-examine the same people after 10 years so that we could see what happened to their hearts after a decade (…) This is a more reliable way to assess left ventricular changes over time.
John Eng, M.D., explained that the heart’s shape “changes over time in both men and women, but the patterns of change are different,” as the hearts of men “tend to get heavier and the amount of blood they hold is less, while women’s hearts don’t get heavier.”
The shape of the heart changes over time in both men and women, but the patterns of change are different (…) Men’s hearts tend to get heavier and the amount of blood they hold is less, while women’s hearts don’t get heavier.
While the reasons for the differences are presently unclear, the study’s findings suggest that ideal treatment approaches could differ for men and women.
Unrelated studies published earlier this year have found that women develop dementia faster than men and the opposite sexes have opposite reactions to enhanced profile pictures.
