Linking Cardiovascular Risk With Estradiol Level in Men

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Men's Health

Background:

• Elevated serum estradiol levels, a condition known as hyperestrogenia (HE), are increasingly recognized in men.
• The association between HE and cardiovascular risk factors in young and middle-aged men requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cardiovascular risk and estradiol levels in young and middle-aged men.
• To determine if HE is associated with specific cardiovascular risk factors and overall cardiovascular disease risk.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 71 men with newly diagnosed HE (serum estradiol >41.2 pg/mL) was compared to 68 age- and body weight index (BWI)-matched controls with normal estradiol levels.
• Measurements included anthropometrics, bioimpedance, blood pressure (BP), and serum concentrations of estradiol, testosterone, glucose, and total cholesterol.
• The probability of arterial hypertension and overall cardiovascular risk using the SCORE scale were assessed.

Main Results:

• Men with HE exhibited significantly lower testosterone levels (p=0.006) and higher systolic (p=0.011) and diastolic (p=0.008) blood pressure compared to controls.
• Total cholesterol levels were also significantly higher in the HE group (p=0.023).
• Hyperestrogenia was found to be an independent predictor, increasing the likelihood of arterial hypertension by 2.11 times (p=0.038).

Conclusions:

• In young and middle-aged men, hyperestrogenia is an independent predictor of arterial hypertension.
• Despite associations with hypertension and altered cholesterol, overall cardiovascular disease risk calculated by the SCORE scale did not significantly differ between groups.