ROCK1 plays an essential role in the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to failure in mice

► ROCK1 deletion abolished peripartum mortality, prevented the development of heart failure, and inhibited cardiomycoyte apoptosis while preserving cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in the peripartum Gαq mice. ► ROCK1 deficiency improved survival, inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and preserved LV dimension and function in old Gαq mice at 12 months. ► Transgenic overexpression of ROCK1 increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis and accelerated hypertrophic decompensation in Gαq hearts in the absence of pregnancy stress. ► The present study demonstrated the long-term beneficial effects of ROCK1 deficiency in hypertrophic decompensation.