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Published on: August 18, 2016
Testosterone and coronary artery disease
Monica D Schwarcz1, William H Frishman
1Department of Medicine, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA. Monica_Schwarcz@nymc.edu
Insights
Men
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and cardiovascular medicine.
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death globally.
- Men exhibit higher incidence rates of ischemic heart disease compared to women.
- The role of androgens in male cardiovascular health is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between endogenous androgens, testosterone replacement therapy, and cardiovascular disease in men.
- To explore the conflicting evidence regarding androgen effects on cardiovascular health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on androgens, testosterone, and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of research on androgenic effects on lipid profiles and cardiovascular function.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests androgens may have both detrimental and beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.
- The precise impact of testosterone on atherosclerosis and its complications remains unclear.
Conclusions:
- The role of testosterone in male cardiovascular health requires further investigation.
- More research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between androgens and cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in most of the developed world despite advances in both prevention and treatment. At the same time, the incidence rates of cardiovascular disease differ greatly between the genders, with men more likely than women to manifest ischemic heart disease. This observation has prompted new research initiatives to explain the discrepancy in heart disease prevalence and incidence between the sexes. Whether androgens affect cardiovascular disease adversely remains a contentious issue, with some data pointing to a deleterious effect of androgens on lipid profiles, and other studies revealing androgens' possible benefits on cardiovascular function. This review will examine the relationship between the endogenous production of androgen as well as the exogenous replacement of testosterone in men and the possible links to cardiovascular disease. The role of testosterone in male cardiovascular health is not completely understood, and additional studies are needed to explain its effect on atherosclerosis and its complications.
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