Low Testosterone Levels Increase Heart Risk

A new study by Belgian researchers published in the European Journal of Endocrinology has found that women past their menopause and having low levels of testosterone are at increased risk of developing heart disease.

Testosterone is basically a male sex hormone, though women also produce it. In women it is produced in ovaries and adrenal glands. Testosterone is associated with certain essential functions in both men and women including maintenance of muscle strength and bone density.

For this particular study, the researchers from the Free University of Brussels looked at 112 women. Half of the subjects had atherosclerosis, an arterial condition that leads to major heart problems. They found lower levels of testosterone in the women with atherosclerosis than in those without the condition.

At the same time, the researchers found that the hormone also appeared to be involved in certain other tasks such as suppressing chemical signals which caused inflammation in the arterial wall. While it is not entirely clear exactly how testosterone may potentially provide protection against heart disease, the researchers believe their findings do explain to a certain extent the role of the hormone in preventing the condition.

Despite their findings, the researchers did not go on to recommend supplements. However, they did stress on the need for further study into the links between testosterone and heart disease. The condition is presently the leading cause of women’s death in the UK and claims nearly 100,000 lives each year. Studies have found that women’s risk of developing heart disease increases dramatically after they have been through the menopause.

The British Heart Foundation said, “The results from this small study identify an association between low testosterone levels in post-menopausal women and a build up of fatty material in the carotid artery – the artery that supplies blood to the head and neck. However it is unclear as to why this occurs. Further work is required to enhance our understanding of the mechanism behind this.”

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