RV enlargement, defined by the ratio of RVEDD and LVEDD A) and RV systolic function, measured as the fractional area change (in %; B), the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE; in mm; D), as well as representative echocardiographic images (C) derived from control (left panel) and HFpEF rats (right panel) and the RV free wall LFS (in %; E) in control (white bars; n=9) and HFpEF (black bars; n=13) rats. Right ventricule–pulmonary artery coupling, assessed as the TAPSE‐to‐sPAP ratio (F) in control (white bars; n=9) and HFpEF (black bars; n=13) rats. Correlation between TAPSE‐to‐sPAP ratio and PVR (G). Values are expressed as mean±SEM. * 0.01<P<0.05, ** 0.001<P<0.01, *** 0.001>P HFpEF vs control rats. HFpEF indicates heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; LFS, longitudinal fractional shortening; LVEDD, left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter; PVR, pulmonary vascular resistance; RV, right ventricular; RVEDD, right ventricular end‐diastolic diameter; sPAP, systolic pulmonary artery pressure; and TAPSE, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion.