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Men with low testosterone are more likely to suffer from poor heart health

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

The evidence supporting the need for broader testosterone testing in men continues to grow. The findings of a new study published in the medical journal Heart indicate that low testosterone levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The results of the study contradict previous findings, which suggest that high testosterone levels contribute to poor heart health. However, after tracking the medical records of 930 men with heart disease for a period of seven years, researchers found that twice as many men with low testosterone levels died as did those with normal or high testosterone levels.

The report's authors said that testosterone testing may be a critical part of monitoring overall health. It may allow men to determine if they could benefit from hormone replacement therapies.

"There has been a marked increase in prescription of testosterone over recent years. While the long term cardiovascular impact of testosterone supplements in those with low levels remains to be demonstrated, accumulating evidence suggests there is a sound basis for examining this," they wrote.

However, they recommend that men talk to their doctors before beginning any such regimen.