Testosterone is an important hormone for maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. This is an association we are now seeing continually in the medical literature. One of the most recent studies was published in the Asia Journal of Andrology, and examines the relationship between the testosterone level in men and their severity of coronary artery disease. The researchers looked at more than 800 individuals that underwent elective coronary angiography, which is a diagnostic test using special dyes and x-rays to image the arteries. It is often used to help detect blockages and plaque buildup., or access the severity of disease.The men also had their testosterone levels measured, and were divided into three groups based on the result. The groups were then compared to each other with regard to their coronary angiography readings. The investigators found a strong (statistically significant) relationship between the level of testosterone and the severity of heart disease. However, the association was negative, meaning that men with the highest testosterone level (upper 1/3 of subjects) had better angiography readings. Likewise, the group with the lowest testosterone demonstrated the most advanced disease. While this study did not attempt to establish causality, it certainly does invite further investigation into the potential health benefits of testosterone and hormone replacement therapy.
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