Evidence for hyperoestrogenaemia as a risk factor for myocardial infarction in men

Fifteen men who had had a myocardial infarction between the ages of 32 and 42 years were compared with fifteen age-matched healthy men. Seven of the patients had a strikingly slow rate of beard growth, three had evidence of gynaecomastia, and three had a loss of libido. The slow beard growth and decreased libido, and possibly the gynaecomastia, preceded the myocardial infarction. Mean serum oestradiol and oestrone concentrations were significantly increased in the patients, 43.5 +/- 8.8 (standard deviation) and 50.7 +/- 9.5, respectively, compared wth 33.5 +/- 5.5 and 37.5 +/- 5.8 pg/ml in the controls (p less than 0.001). Mean serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations were not significantly different in the two groups. Serum oestradiol and oestrone concentrations were directly proportional to each other as were those of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. These results suggest that the hyperoestrogenaemia preceded the myocardial infarction and that hyperoestrogenaemia may be an important risk factor for myocardial infarction in men.