unveiling the cardiovascular impact of growth hormone: insights into physiology, pathology, and therapy

The significance of height in boosting self-confidence has prompted some families to seek medical interventions to enhance their children’s stature. one such intervention is hormone therapy using recombinant human growth hormone (rhgh), which has been employed in clinics since 1985, primarily for treating growth hormone deficiency (ghd). over time, rhgh therapy has been utilized for various conditions where childhood short stature is not solely a result of inadequate growth hormone secretion, such as small for gestational age (sga) or idiopathic short stature (iss). in addition to its effects on the skeletal system, growth hormone (gh) also plays a vital role in regulating cardiovascular function. there is growing evidence suggesting a correlation between abnormal gh levels—both elevated and deficient—and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among patients with gh disorder. notably, cardiovascular complications are not limited to pathological gh levels; even slight increases within the normal range have been linked to increased cardiovascular disease (cvd) events in healthy individuals. these findings raise concerns about the potential long-term cardiovascular effects of rhgh therapy, especially among children without gh disorders. in this comprehensive review, we summarized recent research findings to provide insights into the physiological and pathophysiological effects of gh on the heart. we aimed to elucidate the long-term side effects of gh therapy and identify associated risk factors.