Gender differences in cardiomyopathies

Abstract

Cardiomyopathies are a group of disorders constituting a wide variety of specific diseases, but the available evidence indicates that significant gender related differences are present in several cardiomyopathies which is attributed to multiple factors. Firstly, the mode of inheritance may affect the sex ratio of cardiomyopathy manifestation. Secondly, sex hormones seem to have profound effects on the prevalence and severity of cardiomyopathies. Thirdly, gender effects may confound sex differences in cardiomyopathies. Where sex refers to biological differences between males and females, gender refers to the identity and behavioral aspects of differences between the sexes, and is subject to socio-cultural and psychological influences. This chapter describes the role of these factors in the manifestation of gender differences in various cardiomyopathies.