Pathophysiological aspects of hypertensive disease in women.
Although during the past two decades there has been considerable progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology of human essential hypertension, the basic mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of the disease still remain largely undefined. This also applies to the pathophysiology of hypertension in women, although a number of haemodynamic, vascular, metabolic and neurohumoral factors have been identified throughout the years as being characterized by a gender-specific relation. This paper will examine the main differences in the haemodynamic, vascular, metabolic and neurohumoral profile characterizing normotensive as well as hypertensive females as compared with age-matched males. Although in some instances clearcut differences between genders can be found, overall the pathophysiological picture of the hypertensive state does not seem to have significant differences in men and women, at least up to the years when the menopausal-related hormonal changes take place.
Grassi
Guido
G
Università Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Centro di Fisiologia Clinica ed Ipertensione, Milan, Italy.
Seravalle
Gino
G
Stella
Maria Luisa
ML
Mancia
Giuseppe
G
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D016387:Women's Health