Women Recover from Aortic Valve Surgery More Quickly than Men

Research shows that womens hearts shrink back to a healthier size after surgery at a faster rate than mens hearts after the same operation.

Published: January 6, 2011

A stiff aortic valve (stenosis) can cause a condition called left ventricular hypertrophy, in which the walls of the hearts primary pumping chamber enlarge. This occurs when the heart muscle is forced to overwork as it struggles to pump. Unlike a large bicep, which makes you stronger, however, an overworked heart muscle can become stiff and weak, leading to heart failure.