What is a common cause of death in patients with Acromegaly?

The primary cause of increased mortality in patients with acromegaly is heart failure. Acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone usually from a pituitary adenoma, leads to several systemic changes in the body, including cardiovascular alterations. The growth hormone promotes the growth of various tissues, including the heart itself, leading to myocardial hypertrophy. This can result in increased left ventricular mass and impaired diastolic function, contributing to heart failure over time. Additionally, patients may have associated conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which further exacerbate cardiovascular risks.

In contrast, while stroke, liver failure, and cancer are serious health concerns for patients with acromegaly, heart failure has a more direct and prevalent association with the cardiovascular changes induced by chronic growth hormone excess. Thus, heart failure is widely recognized as a significant and common cause of mortality in this population.