The connection between the hormone testosterone and heart disease has long been debated in the medical community.

Although the research isn’t as abundant as we would like, there are significant findings that lead to a unique connection between testosterone and cardiovascular health.

These medical notions might be slightly different than some previously released studies. Conflicting, in fact. That is because, over the past 20 years, ill-represented research has influenced the general public by releasing unfounded testosterone-related research.

Though the relationship between testosterone and heart disease is distinct, it might be quite different than we thought.

Age and Testosterone Levels: The Relationship

At 30 years of age, a man’s testosterone level peaks, then gradually decreases over time. Given heart disease typically affects men older than 30, we can easily assume that low testosterone alone causes heart disease. While we do believe there is a significant relationship between low testosterone and heart disease, we’ve got to consider all variables involved.

For instance, andropause frequently affects this same group of middle-aged men. Andropause is much like the male version of menopause in females as it can cause such symptoms as concentration issues, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, high blood pressure, etc. As it goes, heart disease often accompanies this concoction of medical concerns.

But andropause isn’t the only cause for concern among middle-aged men. Poor self-care and declining health unrelated to testosterone levels also act as familiar culprits for heart disease.

While age undeniably supports a lower level of testosterone and the common onset of andropause, we must explore other relationships between testosterone and heart disease.

The Alleged Risk of Testosterone Therapy

Less than a half a decade ago, testosterone therapy was under severe fire. Several ill-represented reports portrayed a profound relationship between increased levels of testosterone and heart disease. In fact, testosterone therapy was even pegged as dangerous to our cardiovascular health.

In short, we perceived too much testosterone as a distinct cause of heart disease. Men were recommended against testosterone therapy unless it related directly to a dangerous case of testosterone deficiency.

The research swayed in favor of supporting lower levels of testosterone in men. After all, female counterparts weren’t dying nearly as much from heart disease and clearly possessed lower levels of testosterone.

The FDA even jumped on board by mandating new labeling to products containing testosterone. Due to suppositions remaining unproven by scientific research, the FDA later withdrew the labeling mandate. Furthermore, the alleged profound relationship between high levels of testosterone and heart disease were inevitably unfounded.

The Real Danger of Testosterone Deficiency

Over the past 20 years, the hidden dark secrets of testosterone deficiency have slowly been rising to the surface. Unsurprisingly, the aforementioned testosterone scare catapulted the relationship between testosterone and health disease to the forefront of scientific research.

For men of all ages, especially the 30+ group, a low level of testosterone could be dangerous. There have even been studies suggesting low testosterone to be a predictor of heart disease. In other words, we’ve proven that more men with low testosterone levels are dying because of heart disease than those with normal testosterone levels.

Simply said, a healthy level of testosterone in middle-aged and older men promotes good health. Such appropriate levels actually decrease the risk of heart disease. To be more specific, markers of atherosclerosis, which is a testosterone deficient state, rather than simply being of the male gender points to the onset of heart disease.

There is evidence suggesting that an atherosclerosis state can be regulated by testosterone levels. Thus, actively preventing heart disease from inflicting or causing death.

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If you live in the Los Angeles area and think you could be suffering from a connection between testosterone and heart disease or have any questions, please call my office to schedule an appointment. I would be happy to assist you.