Sex Differences in Cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases involving primary abnormalities of the myocardium, which can be genetically determined or acquired. They are classified as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and unclassified. Biological sex has a great impact on the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and prognosis of cardiomyopathies, through sex hormones, genetic variations, variations in pathobiology, pathophysiology, pharmacogenomics, and socioeconomic factors. The underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Further research is necessary to understand these mechanisms and develop sex-specific therapeutic targets and treatments. This review aims to provide a summary of the current evidence on sex differences in cardiomyopathies and highlight the knowledge gaps.