Estrogen and Heart Health: New Discovery Reveals Key Link in Women

The power of proteomics in enhancing our understanding of the causes of cardiovascular diseases
The power of proteomics in enhancing our understanding of the causes of cardiovascular diseases - Getty / Arabi21


A groundbreaking preclinical study from Monash University has revealed a critical role played by the female hormone estrogen in protecting women's hearts from the damage caused by high blood pressure (hypertension).

The research, conducted by the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and published in the journal Communications Biology, found that estrogen significantly increases the levels of a natural protein called Annexin A1 (ANXA1) in female mice. Previous studies had already established ANXA1 as essential in regulating blood pressure, but the link with estrogen had remained unclear until now.

According to the study's findings, in the absence of ANXA1, elevated blood pressure causes more severe cardiovascular damage—especially in females. This highlights the critical protective function that estrogen-boosted ANXA1 plays in female heart health.

New Hope for Gender-Specific Heart Treatments

This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for the development of new drugs that mimic or enhance ANXA1, potentially leading to therapies specifically tailored for women suffering from hypertension-related heart issues.

Lead researcher and honorary Monash University fellow Dr. Jaideep Singh said, “This research helps explain why women experience heart disease differently from men, particularly when affected by high blood pressure.” He added that estrogen boosts ANXA1, and without it, the heart becomes more vulnerable due to impaired mitochondrial function—the body's cellular energy source.

Co-lead author Dr. Chengxu Helena Chen emphasized the historical lack of representation of women in clinical trials. “Understanding how high blood pressure affects women differently is vital for advancing personalized medicine,” she said.

The team plans to investigate whether estrogen controls ANXA1 in humans similarly to mice. Future studies will include testing novel drugs that enhance ANXA1 in animal models, with the long-term goal of clinical trials focused on female-specific cardiovascular therapies.

Proteomics and Cardiovascular Precision Medicine

Professor David Greening, head of molecular proteomics at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, highlighted how the study exemplifies the power of proteomics. “It gives us a molecular-level understanding of why men and women experience cardiovascular disease differently,” he said. “This can lead to more accurate and targeted treatments for heart conditions, especially those driven by hypertension.”

In conclusion, this research marks a significant step toward closing the gender gap in cardiovascular science and treatment. By illuminating how estrogen and ANXA1 interact, it paves the way for more effective and equitable care for women with hypertension-related heart conditions.



References

  1. Monash University. (July 6, 2025). Scientists uncover the link between estrogen and heart health in women . Monash University News.
  2. Singh, J., Jackson, K. L., & Qin, C. X. (2025). Annexin‑A1 deficiency uncovers female‑specific pathways in blood pressure control and cardiovascular remodeling in mice . Communications Biology, Nature Portfolio. 1
  3. Technology Networks. (July 7, 2025). Estrogen Protects Women's Hearts Against High Blood Pressure .

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