Low Testosterone Linked to Possible Heart Problems in Men

Men with low testosterone may have a slightly increased risk of developing or dying from heart disease, according to a new review.

Researchers analyzed studies that looked at testosterone levels and cardiovascular disease and were published between 1970 and 2013. Testosterone is a male sex hormone involved in sex drive, sperm production and bone health. Over time, low testosterone may contribute to an increase in body fat and a loss of muscle bulk and body hair.

The review, which will be published in theJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, showed increasing evidence suggesting a connection between low testosterone levels and heart disease. The review, however, did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between low testosterone in men and heart disease risk.

Among other findings were the following:

• Treatment with testosterone-replacement therapy did not improve heart health.
• There was little evidence of a link between low testosterone and atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of the arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke.
• There was no connection between testosterone levels and heart attack risk.

“When we reviewed the existing research into testosterone and cardiovascular disease, a growing body of evidence suggested a modest connection between the two,” study lead author Dr. Johannes Ruige, of Ghent University Hospital in Belgium, said in a journal news release. “A specific [disease process] did not come forward, but perhaps less frequently investigated events may play a role, such as thrombosis, where a blood clot develops in the circulatory system, or arrhythmia, where there is a problem with the heart beat or rate.”

“Based on current findings, though, we cannot rule out that low testosterone and heart disease both result from poor overall health,” he added. Additional research is needed to confirm the relationship between the two conditions. “Gaps still remain in our understanding of low testosterone and cardiovascular disease,” Ruige said. “Ultimately, the goal is to more accurately assess the impact testosterone substitution therapy may have on the heart health of men who qualify for the treatment.” Ruige said a growing number of older and middle-aged men are being prescribed testosterone-replacement therapy, but there is debate about whether the practice is too widespread.

Can Twitter prevent heart disease?

Twitter may help prevent heart disease, according to a new Australian study.

The fast and far-reaching way that information spreads through the social network has the potential to save lives by providing education about the illness, which the Heart Foundation says kills one Australian every 12 minutes.

A group of researchers from the University of Sydney reached that conclusion after studying 15 health-focused Twitter accounts with more than one million followers, nine professional organisations and six medical journals.

‘The study showed that, through its inherent networking, social media sites like Twitter have the potential to enhance education, awareness and overall management of cardiovascular disease,’ the university said in a statement.

The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Tuesday.

‘The popularity and rise of Twitter has made it a readily available, free, and user-friendly tool to disseminate information rapidly to a diverse audience, for example, to engage health professionals and heart attack survivors,’ said lead author, Associate Professor Julie Redfern.

‘In recent years, a growing number of health professionals have been using social media to share information.

‘In a survey of 485 oncologists and physicians, 24 per cent used social media at least daily to scan or explore medical information.’

Senior author Professor Chris Semsarian pointed to recent studies which suggested Twitter also spreads key information about quitting smoking and managing epileptic seizures.