Is low testosterone linked to heart disease?
ANSWER
Testosterone has mixed effects on the arteries. Many experts believe testosterone contributes to the higher rates of heart disease and high blood pressure that tend to affect men at younger ages. By this reasoning, high testosterone might be bad for the heart.
But testosterone deficiency is connected to insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes. Each of these problems increases cardiovascular risk. Men with diabetes and low testosterone also have higher rates of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
From: Low Testosterone and Your Health WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by Sabrina Felson on February 11, 2019
SOURCES:
Mulligan, T. , 2006; vol 60: pp 762-769. International Journal of Clinical Practice
WebMD Health News: "Low Testosterone Tied to Poor Health."
Karen Herbst, MD, PhD, assistant professor in medicine, University of California, San Diego.
Medscape: "Low Testosterone Levels Linked With Higher Risk for Depression."
WebMD Medical Reference: "Atherosclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction."
Grossmann, M. , 2008; vol 93: pp 1834-40. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kapoor, D. , 2008; vol 25: pp 357-69. Drugs & Aging
Kupelian, V. , 2006; vol 91: pp 843-50. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Spark, R. , 2007; vol 8: pp 467-471. Current Urology Reports
Fukui, M. , 2007; vol 3: pp 25-31. Current Diabetes Reviews
Fukui, M. , 2003; vol 26: pp 1869-1873. Diabetes Care
Bhasin, S. , 2003; vol 26: pp 1929-1931. Diabetes Care
Grundy, S. , 2004; vol 109: pp 433-438. Circulation
Bhasin, S. , 2006; vol 91: pp 1995-2010. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
SOURCES:
Mulligan, T. , 2006; vol 60: pp 762-769. International Journal of Clinical Practice
WebMD Health News: "Low Testosterone Tied to Poor Health."
Karen Herbst, MD, PhD, assistant professor in medicine, University of California, San Diego.
Medscape: "Low Testosterone Levels Linked With Higher Risk for Depression."
WebMD Medical Reference: "Atherosclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction."
Grossmann, M. , 2008; vol 93: pp 1834-40. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kapoor, D. , 2008; vol 25: pp 357-69. Drugs & Aging
Kupelian, V. , 2006; vol 91: pp 843-50. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Spark, R. , 2007; vol 8: pp 467-471. Current Urology Reports
Fukui, M. , 2007; vol 3: pp 25-31. Current Diabetes Reviews
Fukui, M. , 2003; vol 26: pp 1869-1873. Diabetes Care
Bhasin, S. , 2003; vol 26: pp 1929-1931. Diabetes Care
Grundy, S. , 2004; vol 109: pp 433-438. Circulation
Bhasin, S. , 2006; vol 91: pp 1995-2010. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
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