Heart Rate Differences: Women vs. Men – Study Findings
- Why women frequently enough have faster heartbeats while men are more prone to atrial fibrillation (AFib)?
- The study, published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, found that women possess genes that encourage faster heart rates.
- Vadim Fedorov, professor at Ohio state University College of Medicine and senior author, said the findings explain why women tend to have faster heart rates and inappropriate sinus...
Groundbreaking research reveals heart rate differences between women and men,pinpointing genetic distinctions in teh heartS natural pacemaker. The study shows women have genes promoting faster heart rates, while men show gene networks linked to inflammation and atrial fibrillation (AFib). These findings mark a pivotal shift in understanding sex-specific influences on the sinoatrial node (SAN). Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center examined donated human hearts, identifying distinct patterns. The research highlights the importance of acknowledging these sex-based differences for better treatment of heart conditions and reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation. This could lead to personalized medicine approaches, opening doors to targeted therapies. News Directory 3 is keeping a close watch. Discover what’s next in the quest for effective and personalized treatments.
Sex-Specific Genes Influence Heart Rhythm, Atrial Fibrillation Risk
Updated June 3, 2025
Why women frequently enough have faster heartbeats while men are more prone to atrial fibrillation (AFib)? Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have uncovered a key clue: the sinoatrial node (SAN), the heart’s natural pacemaker, operates with different genetic instructions in men and women.
The study, published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, found that women possess genes that encourage faster heart rates. Conversely,men exhibit gene networks perhaps contributing to heart rhythm problems like AFib. This discovery marks the first time that sex has been shown to influence the genes controlling the SAN.
Vadim Fedorov, professor at Ohio state University College of Medicine and senior author, said the findings explain why women tend to have faster heart rates and inappropriate sinus tachycardia, while men face increased risks of conduction block and atrial fibrillation. the research highlights the importance of understanding these sex-based differences for better treatment of heart conditions and reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation.
Researchers examined donated human hearts, analyzing genes involved in pacing, metabolism, inflammation, and fibrotic remodeling. They identified distinct patterns linked to biological sex.According to Ning Li, research assistant professor at Ohio State, women displayed higher levels of TBX3 and HCN1, genes associated with faster heart rhythms. Male hearts, however, showed greater activity in gene networks related to inflammation and collagen production, factors that can disrupt electrical signaling and elevate arrhythmia risk.
“We found for the first time that the genes controlling how the SAN works are influenced by sex,” said Vadim Fedorov, PhD, professor of physiology and cell biology at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Fedorov believes these findings could pave the way for personalized approaches to treating heart rhythm disorders. The study contributes to Ohio State’s ongoing efforts to understand and prevent common cardiac arrhythmias, which can lead to dangerously slow or fast heart rates and frequently enough require medication or pacemaker implantation. the American Heart Association estimates that over 6 million Americans live with heart failure, many experiencing rhythm disturbances originating in the SAN.
What’s next
Future research will focus on translating these findings into targeted therapies that address the specific genetic profiles of men and women with heart rhythm disorders, potentially leading to more effective and personalized treatments for atrial fibrillation and other conditions.