Heart failure & cardiomyopathies

Sex Differences in Age-Associated Concentric Remodeling and Diastolic Dysfunction

JACC AdvPublished cohort

Authors' conclusion

The age-associated cardiac remodeling and reduced diastolic function in older females were independent of comorbidities, supporting intrinsic sex-specific differences in cardiac aging emerging after the menopausal transition. These findings support the development of precise, sex-specific prevention strategies.

Study context

Population
Individuals with echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular geometric remodeling and diastolic functionfemales/males: 18,476/23,601, sensitivity subgroup free of comorbidities N = 14,250
Participants
42,077 individuals
Exposure
Age-associated differences in echocardiographic parameters between sexes
  • Femalesn = 18,476
  • Malesn = 23,601
Outcome
Age-by-sex interaction for all key parameters
Methodological detailscovariate-adjusted general linear models, sensitivity analysis on a subgroup free of comorbidities
  • Covariate-adjusted general linear models
  • Sensitivity analysis on a subgroup free of comorbidities

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Significant age-by-sex interactions for all key parameters with covariate adjustment
P < 0.001

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Relative wall thickness · after age 60

Marked rise in relative wall thickness in females after age 60 (interaction F)
F = 18.88
Females demonstrated increased age-related interventricular septal thickening and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decline, indicating a shift toward concentric remodeling

E' velocity and E/e' ratio · from the sixth decade

E' velocity decreased significantly and E/e' ratio increased significantly in females from the sixth decade
F = 26.32

Left atrial volume index and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient

Older females exhibited larger left atrial volume index and higher tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradients

Composite z-score of diastolic function parameters · sixth decade

Significant sex-specific disparities, sixth decade as the age of marked divergence in diastolic function
F = 36.86

Sensitivity analysis in individuals without comorbidities

These patterns persisted in the subanalysis of individuals without comorbidities
  • Subgroup N = 14,250

Original publication

Sex Differences in Age-Associated Concentric Remodeling and Diastolic Dysfunction. JACC Adv. Published 1 April 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102682

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