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Low testosterone may slightly increase CVD mortality risk
A review of past studies suggests “a modest association” between low testosterone and cardiovascular disease and mortality.
“A cautious, restrained approach to T therapy in aging men is advisable, pending clarification of benefits and risks by adequately powered clinical trials of sufficient duration,” Johannes B. Ruige, MD, PhD, of Ghent University Hospital in Belgium, and colleagues wrote. “Low andogenous [testosterone] might be related to specific events such as thrombosis or arrhythmia, or, because residual confounding cannot be definitely excluded, low [testosterone] may reflect a status of poorer health.”
Study findings published from 1970 to 2013 on atherosclerosis and incident myocardial infarction showed no “unequivocal relationship,” whereas those that reported on thrombosis and arrhythmia with testosterone therapy were inadequately powered for CVD events.
“One may speculate that potential beneficial effects of androgens may depend on an ‘optimal window’ of [testosterone] concentration, depending on age, degree of aromatization, and genetic background, whereas adverse effects might be expected in concentrations below or above this optimal window,” the researchers wrote. “So far, treatment with [testosterone] to restore [testosterone] concentrations to this optimal window have not been proven to be beneficial with respect to CVD.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.