Many people have questions about testosterone therapy benefits for the heart. In the past, some doctors were reluctant to prescribe testosterone because they feared that the hormone would increase the risk of heart attacks and heart disease. Recent studies have shown otherwise.

While much of the research has been on older men, we know that women receive most of the same benefits as their male counterparts.

Research on the topic of testosterone therapy benefits for your heart is often contradictory. For every report that states testosterone therapy lowers the risk of heart attacks, another one will say that the incidence is increased.

Why the discrepancy?

Studies, like people, are often flawed. The research in one may be limited to a small group of individuals, or important facts may have been overlooked. Other trials may focus on men with other serious health issues that increase their risk of a coronary event.

Here are two facts we do know for sure about the low testosterone therapy heart attack risk:

• 1. Low levels of testosterone increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by the following health concerns:
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Increased blood sugar levels
• High triglycerides and LDL cholesterol
• 2. Low testosterone increases insulin resistance which can result in type 2 diabetes. Men who have both Low T and diabetes have a higher rate of developing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), a condition that also increases cardiovascular risks.

Can Testosterone Therapy Prevent Heart Attacks

Many factors go into the increased risk of heart attacks, and preventing as many of them as possible is crucial for cardiac health, as shown in the answers to the questions below:

• Can testosterone therapy prevent future heart attacks?

While nothing can absolutely prevent the risk of a cardiac event, testosterone therapy for individuals with Low T can certainly help. When you receive testosterone therapy, heart risk declines for different reasons. The first is the improvement in cholesterol and triglyceride levels which reduces the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The next important feature is the decrease in fat retention that can lead to obesity. Finally, there is a reduction of dangerous inflammation in the body.

• How can testosterone therapy help protect my heart if I currently do not have much energy or stamina?

Lack of energy and endurance is a serious issue. Impaired cardiac output can benefit greatly from testosterone therapy. Heart attack risk declines when you can up your energy expenditure via exercise. In a study of men (and a few women) with prior heart failure who experienced an inability to exercise, those individuals taking testosterone therapy walked an average of 177 feet farther and had an increase in the amount of oxygen used by the body per minute of exercise than those who received a placebo.

Before Kingsberg HRT Clinic doctors prescribe testosterone replacement therapy, heart attack risk is assessed, as are other potential factors that would prevent the use of TRT. Only individuals whom our specialists find to be candidates for testosterone therapy receive this treatment for Low T.

Testosterone Therapy and Heart Disease

These next questions focus on effects of testosterone therapy on the heart for people with cardiac disease:

• How can testosterone replacement therapy reduce heart disease symptoms?

Testosterone plays many beneficial roles in the maintenance of heart health:

• It increases red blood cell production to improve circulation
• Improves metabolism for fat burning and weight loss, lowering body mass index (BMI)
• Decreases LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Reduces inflammation
• Lowers serum leptin and fibrinogen levels
• Provides vasodilatory properties
• Improves cardiac output for exercise to help strengthen the heart
• Lowers the risks of diabetes and hypertension

• Is there a connection between chronic heart failure and any other hormones that are connected to testosterone?

Yes, estrogen is also involved in heart health, and, for men especially, their lower levels of estrogen can cause a problem. Since some of the testosterone in the body converts into estradiol (estrogen), a shortage of testosterone can also decrease estrogen levels. Estrogen helps protect the arteries from damage.

While it seems clear that testosterone therapy and heart health go together, it is essential to work with an experienced hormone replacement therapy specialist before and during the use of TRT. Careful monitoring of individuals with prior cardiac history is vital for a positive outcome.

Testosterone therapy provides many benefits that can help improve your life and well-being. Please contact Kingsberg HRT Clinic directly to speak with a hormone specialist. Consultations are confidential and free of charge or obligation.