Men’s Health Management: Testosterone and Heart Disease

Posted: March 15, 2024

As a vital hormone in men, testosterone plays a complex role in men’s health management. Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, and this decline has been associated with various health concerns, including an increased risk of heart disease. Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the U.S. 

Men with low testosterone are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease as well as other serious health conditions. Some studies even indicate that men with significantly low testosterone may face a higher risk of mortality within a five-year period.

Some research suggests that testosterone might offer protective benefits for the cardiovascular system. Understanding these factors is crucial for making informed decisions about men’s health management, including maintaining healthy testosterone levels.

Get your levels checked and start your personalized testosterone treatment plan with help from our experienced team at Low T Center. Schedule an appointment with us today to help protect your long-term health.

Heart Disease is an Extremely Serious Diagnosis

Heart disease often develops subtly, making early detection crucial. Watch for symptoms like crushing chest pain, shortness of breath with exertion, unexplained fatigue, and discomfort in the chest, jaw, neck, or back. Ignoring these early warning signs can lead to significant health consequences. 

Heart disease can profoundly impact your lifestyle, potentially limiting your physical abilities, permanently altering your diet, or requiring significant medication management.  Serious problems like heart attacks or heart failure can disrupt your life or even be fatal. That is why it’s critical to take the time for men’s health management now to help prevent these consequences and protect your long-term health and quality of life.

Evaluating At-Risk Testosterone Levels 

Determining if your testosterone falls within a potentially risky low range requires a blood test, which measures testosterone in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). 

However, a single number doesn’t tell the whole story. Normal testosterone levels naturally decline with age. Other health conditions, medications, and even time of day can affect testosterone levels. Here is a general guideline for average testosterone levels by decade (ng/dL):

• 20s: 300-1,000
• 30s: 270-900
• 40s: 240-800
• 50s: 210-700
• 60s: 180-600

Remember that these are just overall averages. It’s important to discuss your individual results with your healthcare provider to understand if your testosterone level falls outside a healthy range for your age and specific situation. 

Higher Testosterone Can Support Cardiovascular Health

Several key factors influence how your testosterone levels might impact your cardiovascular system, including your age, medical history, and your baseline heart health. Some research suggests that testosterone might offer protective benefits for the cardiovascular system, such as:

• Improved Blood Vessel Function: Testosterone seems to signal blood vessels to relax and widen (dilate). This makes it easier for blood to flow smoothly, potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart. 
• Enhanced Cholesterol Profile: Testosterone can help decrease the amount of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol that can form artery-clogging plaques. At the same time, it could boost levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol, which helps remove harmful cholesterol from the body.
• Better Blood Sugar Control: Testosterone appears to improve how your body uses insulin, the hormone that manages blood sugar levels. This improved sensitivity means your body can better control blood sugar, preventing spikes and dips that are harmful over time. Having stable blood sugar levels lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a significant contributor to heart problems.
• Reduced Body Fat: Testosterone can assist in breaking down excess body fat, particularly the dangerous visceral fat that surrounds your internal organs. This type of fat is strongly connected to increased heart disease risk. Losing this harmful fat helps take a load off your heart and circulatory system. Testosterone helps your body better metabolize fat and rebuilds the lean muscle mass that can burn fat more efficiently.

Hormonal Imbalance Has a Domino Effect

Hormonal balance is essential for maintaining optimal health. Testosterone is a key hormone in men, playing a crucial role in many functions of your body’s systems. When your testosterone levels fall dangerously low, it can create a domino effect that negatively impacts numerous aspects of health.

Hormones that testosterone interacts with includes:

• Estrogen: Testosterone can be converted into estrogen, and the balance between the two is important for bone health, sex drive, and other functions.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): These hormones from the pituitary gland signal the testicles to produce testosterone. Testosterone then works in a feedback loop to regulate LH and FSH levels.
• Growth Hormone (GH): Testosterone can enhance the effects of growth hormone, promoting muscle growth and bone development.
• Cortisol: This stress hormone has a complex relationship with testosterone. Chronically high cortisol levels can suppress testosterone production.
• Insulin: Testosterone plays a part in how your body uses insulin, the hormone regulating blood sugar. Healthy testosterone levels can improve insulin sensitivity.

Low testosterone can manifest in diverse ways, including decreased sex drive, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, mood changes like irritability or depression, and difficulty concentrating. Other hormonal imbalances might cause additional symptoms like hair loss, breast tissue development, and sleep disturbances.

If you experience any of these changes, consulting a men’s health management practitioner is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Support Men’s Health Management with TRT

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can be a valuable tool in restoring testosterone levels to a healthy range. By addressing testosterone deficiency, TRT can help various bodily systems function more effectively. Testosterone injections are a direct and relatively simple treatment approach, with dosages carefully tailored to meet your specific needs.

If you’re concerned about low testosterone and its potential impact on your heart health, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced providers at Low T Center. We can assess your testosterone levels and create a customized treatment plan. Help minimize the long-term health risks of low testosterone—schedule an appointment with us today.

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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.