The way to Help a Man’s Heart

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows testosterone may help protect men from heart disease, rather than increase the risk as was once thought. Researchers in Japan found a low concentration of testosterone is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in men.

Investigators measured testosterone concentrations in 253 men with type 2 diabetes. Results of the study show two early markers of atherosclerosis, intima-media thickness and plaque score, were significantly higher in patients with lower concentrations of free testosterone than in patients with higher concentrations of testosterone. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing and hardening of the coronary arteries, which is a main cause of heart attack and stroke.

Results also show free testosterone concentrations did not differ between patients with or without cardiovascular disease. An increase in age was also associated with a decrease in testosterone concentrations.

Investigators note cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. According to the American Heart Association, about 950,000 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each year, which amounts to one death every 33 seconds. About 61 million Americans, almost one-fourth of the population, live with cardiovascular disease.

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SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2003;26:1869-1873