Numerous studies over several decades have found significant sex differences in the development of cardiovascular disease, including the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, and hypertension. It is also recognized today that the presentation of the disease can differ between men and women, sometimes leading to delayed diagnosis in women. These differences have been largely attributed to the protective effects of endogenous sex hormones, including estrogen, as these differences significantly diminish with age, particularly after menopause. However, recent studies have also highlighted non-hormonal determinants and risk factors that contribute to the sex difference in the disease development. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are areas of active investigation and continue to emerge. It is clearly essential to understand the mechanisms of the sex differences in the initiation, development and presentation of the disease, as well as the relevant risk factors.

The topic editors of this Frontiers Research Topic are Dr. Irena Levitan, University of Illinois Chicago, Dr. Catherine Martel, Universite de Montreal, and Dr. Benard Ogola, Augusta University. The topic is coordinated by Dr.
Elizabeth LeMaster, University of Illinois Chicago.

We welcome submissions of original research, reviews, and perspectives for this Research Topic, which focuses on recent developments in all aspects of sex-related vascular physiology. The areas of particular interest include but not limited to the sex differences in the following areas:

• Atherosclerosis including prevalence and plaque vulnerability;
• Coronary disease;
• Microvascular dysfunction;
• Hypertension;
• Hormonal and non-hormonal mechanisms of sex-related cardio protection;
• Vascular biomechanics;
• Inflammatory signaling;
• Interactions of sex with race and ethnicity as it relates to cardiovascular disease;
• Impacts of gender, as distinct from biological sex and related lifestyle on cardiovascular health.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Exploring Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Health: Risk Factors and Molecular Insights

Topic Coordinator