HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Huxley, V. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Huxley, V. H.

REFRESHER COURSE

Sex and the cardiovascular system: the intriguing tale of how women and men regulate cardiovascular function differently

Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, Center for Gender Physiology and Environmental Adaptation, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: V. H. Huxley, Dept. of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, Center for Gender Physiology and Environmental Adaptation, Univ. of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212 (HuxleyV{at}health.missouri.edu)

Abstract

The ability to recognize and appreciate from a reproductive standpoint that males and females possess different attributes has been long standing. Only more recently have we begun to look more deeply into both the similarities and differences between men and women, as well as between boys and girls, with respect to the structure and function of other organ systems. This article focuses on the cardiovascular system, with examples of sex differences in the control of coronary function, blood pressure, and volume. Recognizing the differences between the sexes with respect to cardiovascular function facilitates understanding of the mechanisms whereby homeostasis can be achieved using different contributions or components of the living system. Furthermore, recognition of the differences as well as the similarities permits the design of appropriate diagnostic instruments, recognition of sex-specific pathophysiology, and implementation of appropriate treatment of cardiovascular disease in men and women.

Key words: heart rate; blood pressure; volume homeostasis; microvascular function

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B.-Y. Li, G.-F. Qiao, B. Feng, R.-B. Zhao, Y.-J. Lu, and J. H. Schild Electrophysiological and neuroanatomical evidence of sexual dimorphism in aortic baroreceptor and vagal afferents in rat Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, October 1, 2008; 295(4): R1301 - R1310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. E. Klos, E. Boerwinkle, R. E. Ferrell, S. T. Turner, and A. C. Morrison ESR1 polymorphism is associated with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels in Caucasians of the Rochester Family Heart Study J. Lipid Res., August 1, 2008; 49(8): 1701 - 1706. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]