Low testosterone is common in men with cardiovascular disease and decreases survival

**marcus300** · 03-23-2011, 03:07 AM

Low testosterone is common in men with cardiovascular disease and decreases survival

A study in the United Kingdom observed 930 men with confirmed coronary artery disease over an average of nearly 7 years to find out how many had testosterone deficiency and to examine whether low testosterone affected survival.

Key Findings
At the start of the study, over 20% of men with coronary heart disease had low testosterone levels (the medical term is hypogonadism), shown by blood test results for bioavailable testosterone

Over the time of the study, the death rate in men with low testosterone was higher than in men with normal levels of testosterone , 21% of men with low testosterone died of any cause, while only 12% of men with normal levels died.

As well as increasing mortality overall, low testosterone more than doubled the rate of cardiovascular deaths. Only impairment of the function of the left ventricle in the heart, a condition that often leads to heart failure, had a larger negative effect on survival.

Source: Low serum testosterone and increased mortality in men with coronary heart disease. Malkin CJ, Pugh PJ, Morris PD, et al. Heart 2010;96(22):1821-1825.

Background information
Men are at least two- or three-times more likely to die from coronary heart disease than women, even when cardiovascular risk factors such as high total cholesterol levels, smoking, and high blood pressure are taken into consideration. Because of this, it has been assumed that testosterone, the male sex hormone secreted by the testes, is harmful and contributes to the increased cardiovascular risk for men.

However, there is little evidence that testosterone produced by the body is a risk factor, and testosterone plays an essential part in maintaining muscle, bone mass, sex drive and energy levels in men, together with playing a key role in male health and well-being.

Although the benefits of testosterone replacement on physical and sexual function, energy levels, fat and muscle mass, blood lipids and bone density in men with low testosterone have been known for some time, there is increasing evidence that mortality increases as testosterone levels decrease. Several large studies have shown that low testosterone levels increase the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Until now, such studies have not generally included men with pre-existing, or at high risk of developing, cardiovascular disease.

This study is important, as it is the first to examine the effects of low testosterone in men with established coronary disease. The study shows that testosterone deficiency is common in patients with coronary disease and has a considerable negative impact on their survival. Investigating whether testosterone replacement can reduce the risk of death in men with lower than normal testosterone levels is a logical next step.

**zaggahamma** · 03-23-2011, 04:25 AM

good read

**marcus300** · 03-23-2011, 06:08 AM

Nice to see something positive for a change regarding testosterone

**GotNoBlueMilk** · 03-23-2011, 06:23 AM

I recently posted in another thread how my heart got stronger and my heart rate during cardio went down after I started HRT. Before HRT I couldn't make any improvement with my heart rate during cardio. The heart muscle just couldn't get stronger without the T it needed to build itself up.

**APIs** · 03-23-2011, 08:35 AM

Good info & in-line with what my Dr. had said if it's left un-treated. I bet this condition is ignored by many men in the US with all the bad media-hype associated with AS. Especially after a patient finds out they need TRT on a continuous basis.

I know someone in this situation right now. He's in his early 30's, he has a history of early heart disease, testing revealed his Testosterone is very low & is doing nothing about it because of the stigma attached to it & from listening to un-educated people around him. Meanwhile, he's shaped like a pear, has no energy, has absolutely no interest in banging his new wife & she wants to start a family! WTF? Cant figure some people out...

**VegasRenegade** · 03-23-2011, 09:05 AM

makes since the heart is after all a muscel

**zaggahamma** · 03-23-2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by marcus300

Nice to see something positive for a change regarding testosterone

you've heard negatives?

**BigMyke** · 03-27-2011, 09:31 PM

I'm 39 years old and was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, a dialation of the heart muscle which causes it to underperform. The heart and arteries are clean. I told them I take 500mgs of test a week and hgh about 3iu a day. They didnt say much about that but im concerned about usage. The heart disease runs in my family and I had some drug use (cocaine) when I was younger. I've been clean for a long time (15 yrs) from that. I started test and hgh about a year ago when I found out I needed TRT. Should I be concerned about TRT and HGH? Im a bit scared but I feel those things at a moderate level are healthy. Please if anyone is in same situation or has some knowledge on this I could use some feedback,Thanks.

**bass** · 03-27-2011, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by jpkman

you've heard negatives?

LOL, that was my reaction too!

Thanks Marcus, good read!

**lovbyts** · 03-28-2011, 02:53 AM

The real answer to this is easy. The men with Low Testosterone just gave up and died. Whats there to live for if you have low Testosterone (low libido) and cant get it up anymore? Makes sense to me.