Testosterone Effects on the Heart

Testosterone Effects on Heart Disease

What’s the relationship between testosterone and heart disease? We’ve said it before and we will say it again. Testosterone is good for the heart.

There are many testosterone effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.  It helps to maintain a health blood pressure by increasing production of nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator, making blood vessels more pliable.  This has the added benefit of improving erectile dysfunction.

Inflammation is at the root of heart disease, and there is now growing evidence that testosterone reduces inflammation.

Testosterone lowers total and LDL cholesterol reducing the risk of heart disease. It also strengthens the contractility of the heart increasing cardiac output and oxygen delivery to our tissues. Testosterone improves insulin sensitivity, thus decreasing the risk of diabetes, another risk factor for heart disease.

Endothelial progenitor cells are stimulated by testosterone.  These are basically stem cells that can repair the endothelium, a single cell layer lining the inside of our blood vessels.  The endothelium regulates blood vessel diameter and controls many biochemical processes involving the cardiovascular system. Testosterone effects on endothelial function is very positive.

Stumbling Block

As Dr. Crandall states, doctors are beginning to look at testosterone in a new light.  Unfortunately, most physicians have little training and experience in prescribing and monitoring testosterone replacement.  But, the momentum is slowly shifting in the direction of testosterone replacement therapy, and I believe as we learn more, we will see it’s use expanded.

In the meantime, if you have heart or cardiovascular disease get your testosterone and other hormone levels checked by a physician with knowledge in the area of hormone replacement therapy so you can take advantage of testosterone effects on heart disease.

See related articles.

“Does Testosterone Reduce Inflammation”

“Diabetes and Low Testosterone”

“Testosterone and Cardiovascular Disease”