Role of Testosterone in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

[IMT staff]

It has long been accused that using androgens of any kind are bad for the heart. Early studies littered with information on people irresponsibly doing massive amounts of hormones skewed the data we had to go on for years and testosterone and other androgens have had a dark cloud cast over their exogenous use ever since.

The problem with this archaic viewpoint is the literature does not substantiate the claim and there is far more evidence proving that optimal testosterone levels can decrease cardiovascular risk factors and all cause mortality in general.

We came across this interesting newer study and wanted to share the information, enjoy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent non-communicable cause of death worldwide. Testosterone is a sex hormone that is predominant in males but also occurs in lower concentrations in females. It has effects directly on the blood vessels of the cardiovascular system and on the heart, as well as effects on risk factors for CVD. Serum testosterone concentrations are known to decrease with age and reduced testosterone levels are linked to premature coronary artery disease, unfavourable effects on CVD risk factors and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality independent of age. A significant number of men with heart failure demonstrate reduced serum testosterone concentrations and there is early evidence suggesting that low testosterone levels affect cardiac repolarisation. Any association between endogenous testosterone concentrations and CVD in women has yet to be established. Testosterone replacement is used to treat men with hypogonadism but also has cardiovascular effects. This review will present the current evidence, expert opinion and controversies around the role of testosterone in the pathophysiology of CVD and surrounding the use of testosterone treatment and its effects on the cardiovascular system and CVD.

Keywords
Testosterone, men, cardiovascular disease, risk factors, treatment
Disclosure
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Correspondence
Carolyn Webb, Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK. E: c.webb@imperial.ac.uk and peter.collins@imperial.ac.uk
Received date
17 August 2017
Accepted date
29 September 2017
Citation
European Cardiology Review 2017;12(2):83-7.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.15420/ecr.2017:21:1

https://www.ecrjournal.com/testosterone-treatment

 

[Nicky_eye_lids]

Very good read on Testosterone, thanks!

 

[IMT]

Good read for sure thanks!