Effect of Gender Difference on Left Ventricular and Left Atrial Parameters in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Arterial hypertension causes structural and functional cardiac changes, including alterations in left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) parameters. These changes may vary by sex due to physiological and clinical differences.

Objective: To determine whether differences exist in LV and LA parameters between male and female patients with hypertension.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted at the Echocardiographic Consultation Unit of Al-Furat Teaching Hospital, Al-Najaf Governorate, from 1 September 2023 to 20 April 2024. A total of 68 hypertensive patients aged 18–60 years, including both males and females, were enrolled. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, anthropometric measurements, and Doppler echocardiography. LV parameters and LA volumes and functional indices were assessed. Statistical comparisons between sexes were performed, with significance set at P<0.05.

Results: Significant differences were observed between males and females in anthropometric variables, including weight, height, age, and body surface area (BSA) (all P<0.05). LV structural parameters interventricular septal thickness (IVS), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW), and left ventricular mass (LVM) also differed significantly between sexes (all P<0.05). Additionally, certain LA functional parameters, including passive volume and conduit function, showed significant differences between male and female groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion: LV parameters appear to be influenced by sex-related differences in hypertensive patients. In contrast, LA parameters are more strongly associated with factors such as age, ethnicity, treatment type, and treatment adherence rather than sex alone.