Low Testosterone May Raise Death Risk in Men with Heart Disease
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What Is Testosterone and Why Does It Matter?
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a big role in men’s health. It affects muscles, bone strength, fat storage, and even mood. It also has some impact on heart health—helping blood vessels relax and possibly lowering blood pressure. While testosterone is often seen as a “male hormone,” women also have it in smaller amounts. Normal levels in men are between 300 and 1000 ng/dL. When men have less than 300 ng/dL, it’s considered low.
Understanding the Link
A recent study looked into whether low levels of testosterone could increase the risk of death in people with heart problems. It used a large U.S. health database called NHANES and included over 1,100 people who already had cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main goal was to see if low testosterone levels were related to higher chances of death from any cause.
Key Findings from the Study
In this study, over 70% of men with heart disease had low testosterone levels. After tracking participants for about 4.5 years, researchers found that men with low testosterone were more likely to die compared to those with normal levels. The risk was 48% higher, even after considering other factors like age, income, and existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Interestingly, the same connection was not found in women. Even though 80% of the women in the study had low testosterone levels (under 20 ng/dL), their risk of death did not seem to change.
Why Might Low Testosterone Be Risky?
Experts think low testosterone could worsen heart health in several ways. It might increase body fat, make insulin resistance worse, or add to inflammation—all of which are bad for the heart. Older men naturally lose testosterone over time, which may partly explain why heart problems increase with age.
There’s also evidence that testosterone may help protect the heart by keeping blood vessels flexible and improving heart function.
What About Testosterone Therapy?
Testosterone therapy is used in men who have very low hormone levels and symptoms like fatigue or low sex drive. Some earlier studies showed mixed results about whether it’s safe for the heart. But newer research suggests it may be safe and even helpful in some men with existing heart problems. Still, it’s not for everyone, and more research is needed—especially for women, where the effects remain unclear.
What This Means for You
If you’re a man with heart disease, checking your testosterone level might be worth discussing with your doctor. Low levels may be a warning sign of higher risk. However, treatment decisions should always be personalized and based on full medical evaluation.
For women, the connection between testosterone and heart health remains less clear. Other factors like estrogen levels, age, and menopause status may play a bigger role.
In Summary
This study adds to growing evidence that low testosterone in men with heart disease may lead to worse outcomes. It doesn’t prove that raising testosterone will fix the problem, but it does highlight the importance of hormone health—especially in older men managing heart conditions.