Figure 2.

Aortic dysfunction in female-predominant or female-specific conditions. Aortic dysfunction has been associated with many female-specific conditions and changes in the structure and function of the aorta and may contribute to their pathophysiology and explain—in part—the female predominance of some cardiovascular diseases. Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy exhibit pathologic changes in arterial function and increased arterial stiffness. Altered ventriculo-arterial coupling, increased impedance, and decreased compliance in the aorta is linked to high left ventricular filling pressure and diastolic dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is at least in part explained by decreased central artery compliance and remodelling of arteriolar beds.