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An update on heart disease risk associated with testosterone boosting medications |
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| Authors: | G Corona G Rastrelli F Guaraldi G Tortorici Y Reismann A Sforza |
| Institution: | 1. Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda-Usl Bologna, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy;2. Andrology, Female Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy;3. Pituitary Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Science of Bologna, Bologna, Italy;4. Cardiology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda-Usl Bologna, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy;5. Department of Urology, Amstelland Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
| Abstract: | Introduction: The cardiovascular (CV) safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) remains a crucial issue in the management of subjects with late-onset hypogonadism. The authors systematically reviewed and discussed the available evidence focusing our analysis on heart-related issues. Areas covered: All the available data from prospective observational studies evaluating the role endogenous T levels on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were collected and analyzed. In addition, the impact of TRT on heart-related diseases, as derived from pharmaco-epidemiological studies as well as from randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs), was also investigated. Expert opinion: Available evidence indicates that endogenous low T represents a risk factor of AMI incidence and its related mortality. TRT in hypogonadal patients is able to improve angina symptoms in subjects with ischemic heart diseases and exercise ability in patients with heart failure (HF). In addition, when prescribed according to the recommended dosage, TRT does not increase the risk of heart-related events. |
| Keywords: | Testosterone cardiovascular diseases heart failure ischemic heart diseases |