The effects of hormones on arrhythmias in women.
The reproductive hormones play a significant role in modulating the presentation and behavior of numerous types of arrhythmias. Differences exist between men and women in normal electrophysiology; along with heart rate, the QT interval is a basic parameter that is affected by the presence or absence of certain reproductive hormones. Women have a lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation, yet they have a higher mortality once atrial fibrillation is established. There are clear-cut gender differences in the prevalence of other re-entrant supraventricular tachycardias as well. Women are at lower risk of sudden cardiac death overall, but they have a higher risk of acquired long QT syndrome from antiarrhythmic drugs. It is possible that differences in myocardial repolarization modulated by sex hormones are a major factor in the differential presentation of these arrhythmias in men and women.
Clinical Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Box 100277, Gainesville, FL 32610-0277, USA.
Michael S
MS
Bailey
Anne B
AB
Curtis
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution
D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones