Although intrinsic mechanisms that regulate arterial blood pressure (BP) are similar in men and women, marked variations exist at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. These physiological disparities between the sexes likely contribute to differences in disease onset, susceptibility, prevalence and treatment responses. Key systems that are important in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD), including the sympathetic nervous system, the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and the immune system, are differentially activated in males and females. Biological age also contributes to sexual dimorphism, as premenopausal women experience a higher degree of cardioprotection than men of similar age. Furthermore, sex hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone as well as sex chromosome complement likely contribute to sex differences in BP and CVD. At the cellular level, differences in cell senescence pathways may contribute to increased longevity in women and may also limit organ damage caused by hypertension. In addition, many lifestyle and environmental factors — such as smoking, alcohol consumption and diet — may influence BP and CVD in a sex-specific manner. Evidence suggests that cardioprotection in women is lost under conditions of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment strategies for hypertension and CVD that are tailored according to sex could lead to improved outcomes for affected patients.

尽管在男性和女性中调节动脉血压（BP）的内在机制相似，但在分子，细胞和组织水平上仍存在明显的差异。性别之间的这些生理差异可能导致疾病发作，易感性，患病率和治疗反应方面的差异。在高血压和心血管疾病（CVD）的发展中重要的关键系统，包括交感神经系统，肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统和免疫系统，在男性和女性中均被差异激活。由于绝经前女性比同龄男性具有更高的心脏保护水平，因此生物年龄也有助于性二态性。此外，诸如雌激素和睾丸激素之类的性激素以及性染色体的补体可能是造成BP和CVD性别差异的原因。在细胞水平上，细胞衰老途径的差异可能有助于延长女性的寿命，也可能限制由高血压引起的器官损伤。此外，许多生活方式和环境因素（例如吸烟，饮酒和饮食）可能会以性别特定的方式影响BP和CVD。有证据表明，肥胖和2型糖尿病会使女性的心脏保护功能丧失。根据性别量身定制的高血压和CVD治疗策略可能会改善受影响患者的预后。细胞衰老途径的差异可能有助于延长女性的寿命，也可能限制高血压引起的器官损害。此外，许多生活方式和环境因素（例如吸烟，饮酒和饮食）可能会以性别特定的方式影响BP和CVD。有证据表明，肥胖和2型糖尿病会使女性的心脏保护功能丧失。根据性别量身定制的高血压和CVD治疗策略可能会改善受影响患者的预后。细胞衰老途径的差异可能有助于延长女性的寿命，也可能限制高血压引起的器官损害。此外，许多生活方式和环境因素（例如吸烟，饮酒和饮食）可能会以性别特定的方式影响BP和CVD。有证据表明，肥胖和2型糖尿病会使女性的心脏保护功能丧失。根据性别量身定制的高血压和CVD治疗策略可能会改善受影响患者的预后。