Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Management: A Call for Better Acknowledgment—Part 1 Pharmacological Differences in Women and Men; How Relevant Are They?

Abstract

Background: Sex differences (SDs) in pharmacology of cardiovascular (CV) drugs have been described previously; however, paradoxically, there are scarce recommendations in therapy based on these differences. It is of utmost importance to identify whether these SDs determine a modified clinical response and the potential practical implications for this, to provide a base for personalized medicine. Area of uncertainty: The aim of this article was to outline the most important pharmacological drivers of cardiovascular drugs that differ between women and men, along with their implications and challenges in clinical practice. Data sources: A detailed assessment of English-written resources reflecting SDs impact in CV drug pharmacology was performed using PubMed and Embase databases. Results: Despite large variations in CV drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in individuals, correcting for height, weight, surface area, and body composition compensate for most “sex-dependent” differences. In addition, individual, cultural, and social factors significantly impact disease management in women versus men. Gender-biased prescribing patterns and gender-dependent adherence to therapy also influence outcomes. The development of sex-specific guidelines requires that they should reflect the SDs implications for the management of a disease and that the evidence should be carefully evaluated as to whether there is an adequate representation of both sexes and whether sex-disaggregated data are reported. Conclusions: Pharmacological drivers are under the influence of an impressive number of differences between women and men. However, to establish their significance in clinical practice, an adequate representation of women in studies and the reporting of distinct results is mandatory.